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 … 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 9 in the series, Abby works with Lonnie and Lacy to uncover secrets long buried in the mansion on the bluff Lonnie is refurbishing, Georgia meets a mysterious woman with a secret of her own, and a new group of guests check into the inn each with a story of their own.
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In this next book of the series Abby is excited that Lonnie will finally be doing demo work in the library of the Chadwick house. It looks like there is a secret room behind some of the bookshelves in the library but they won’t know until they can get behind it to see and the anticipation is almost to much. Meanwhile Abby is doing research on the Chadwick house in hopes of maybe using it in a future book. She wants to get a feel for the home and the family who has lived there for so many years. The home has been passed down from generation to generation and Abby has been reading the diary of one of its past residents, learning all kinds of interesting new things. She decides to take a trip to the local museum in hopes of getting more information about the house and it’s family. She meets a man named Patrick who is a fount of information. When Abby learns that Patrick is murdered the same day she met him helping with the investigation is the first thing that comes to mind. The man had no enemies but it looks like he might have stolen from the museum not to meme he was let go from his teaching position recently. Follow along as Abby looks into Patrick’s life in hopes of figuring out just who wanted him dead and why. This is a wonderful series that always has a great mystery and a touch of romance to boot!
A combination of romance and mysteries, each one by itself worthy of being a Hallmark movie!
Abby’s adventures continue as a local event in danger of being cancelled is relocated to her fledgling inn. With the help of friends, new and established, she takes on a daunting challenge, all while helping identify a woman with memory isues and evaluating her relationship with a detective who finds himself juggling several cases. Is there a connection between one or more? What would cause an alleged thief to invite a stranger in to chat while he packs up valuables? The wall to a secret room is about to be opened up and family secrets will be revealed. Is there also a treasure to be found? Come along as this wonderful series unfolds and continues to captivate Kathi Daley fans.
This review is for the audio book.
I really enjoyed this book. This is the first book I have listened to in this series and even through there is a lot of backstory that I have obviously missed joining the series at book 10 the author writes a good plot so you get some information but not to much that an avid listener gets board. I liked the characters and the small town feel of the place that comes across nicely. The mystery was interesting, with lots of side mysteries going on to keep it interesting all the way throughout the book. Just a nice cozy mystery to keep you entertained and smiling.
Abby is busy running her little Inn but with her friend renovating the Chadwick house and finding a secret room behind the book case, Abby comes up with a plot idea for a new book. She wants the house to feature as a bit part especially all the mystery surrounding it but in order to do that she needs to do some research into the home owners. She starts at the local museum and talks to a knowledgeable professor who works there part time and was generous enough to let her into the closed museum while he pack some artefacts. Then she gets a phone call from her boyfriend wanting to know how she knows Patrick. Patrick was murdered in his home and Abby’s business card was in his pocket. When Abby enquiries if it was a robbery the police have no idea what she was talking about. It seems nobody knew he had taken any of the artefacts home. Was he trying to sell them?
And where are they now? Abby will have to retrace Patrick’s step for the last couple of days if she wants to find out what happened to the museum pieces and who killed him. At the same time the inn must prepare for the annual beer festival as well as look after there guest. One guest in particular needs more attention than the others and holds her own secrets that Abby and her friends will have to uncover.
I liked the narrator, I have heard her read a few audio books but think this is her best performance.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
I’ve always enjoyed reading Kathy Daley’s books.
In the tenth installment in the Inn at Holiday Bay Abby and her friends have to solve a murder, locate stolen treasures and a hidden room, entertain the guests, reunite an elderly woman with her memories and her family, and run a beer garden. Of course, they are up to the task.
We also get an engagement, a budding romance or two, and a new assistant for Georgia.
Great series, tidy ending.
Gossip in the Garden is the latest installment in The Inn at Holiday Bay series. It is a wonderful read.
Abby and her friends are delightful characters and the mystery is hard to solve and draws you in.
A murder, a theft and a lost treasure combine to make this book a fabulous read. Don’t miss it.
I have found that the Inn at Holiday Bay seems to always have some intriging guests and happenings and book 10 in this series is no exception. Be prepared to become totally immersed in the stories and lives of the characters. This series seems to get better and better with each book and that’s saying something as the previous books/stories have been awesome. I think this cozy mystery is one you won’t want to miss reading and highly recommend.
Gossip in the Garden earns 5/5 Pints of Brew…Engaging & Mysterious Fun!
Kathi Daley has another great book with this eleventh installment in The Inn at Holiday Bay series. The story about the Chadwick family started in book nine, “Proof in the Photo,” and it is recommended newbies start there. Abby’s writing career is going well; she’s even set for a book-signing appearance at the local bookstore. Her new home of Holiday Bay, Maine, has proved perfect motivation for her new novel…The Chadwick House. All real-life details will be disguised, but the Chadwick family story is too rich with drama to be overlooked. During renovations of the Chadwick house, Abby’s able to tag along with her friends who happen to be the contractor and decorator and in her exploring she found a family journal and evidence of a possible secret room. To get more insights she heads off to the historical society, but the closed sign was a disappointment. However, one of the volunteers, Patrick Montoya, sees Abby learning about Abby’s interest in the Chadwick family, he invites her in to offer his own insights. While he packed up some of the display items to make room for new ones, they had an enlightening conversation. But, suspicions run amok when the Patrick turns up murdered, the items he packed up are missing, and the myths and legends behind some of the objects make them more valuable than just monetarily.
From a theft to murder to spelunking Kathi Daley’s mystery involves many layers: legends of hidden treasure and an ancient native ritual. But murder? Kathy Daley does slowly reveal a jumble of clues (some found off the page) that kept me totally absorbed, and almost skipping to the end to find out what it is all about. Secrets and lies always seem to be uncovered, even with a bit of peril thrown in for good measure. Wow! Beyond the murder and drama surrounding the Chadwick house, life at the Inn is busy with a previous guest returning to search again for the “soulmate,” preparations for Lobsterfest, and the appearance of a mysterious older woman struggling with her memory. Abby and Colt are still trying to define their relationship, but one thing’s for sure, they work well as investigative partners! Clever mystery, wonderful characters, and an entertaining writing style has made this series a personal favorite. I do like a bonus with my cozy, and with Georgia the Inn’s chef and star of the local “Cooking with Georgia” show, you’d think there would be a recipe or two…just saying!
Gossip in the Garden is the tenth book in the fantastic The Inn at Holiday Bay cozy mystery series by Kathi Daley. The elements of a cozy mystery are present including suspense, danger, romance, humor, love, friends and family, and a sense of community. Abby and friends work to find answers to old mysteries and new mysteries. I look forward to more mystery surrounding the Chadwick house in Bar Harbor as renovations continue. I love the way Ms. Daley writes in a continuing saga fashion with hints and clues to stories in the future (and red herrings). I love that not all questions are resolved in each book. As always, Ms. Daley’s writing flows smoothly, and her setting and relatable characters make for an extremely enjoyable read. I really look forward to reading the next book in this series.
I’ve read all these books from the beginning and definitely recommend starting with the 1st book in the series, reading them in order. Characters from some prior books reappear and sometimes become a bigger part of the books. Abby owns the Inn and Georgia is her friend, chef and partner in the business. The mysteries are not all murders but sometimes involve the history of the Inn or a house that Abby’s friends are remodeling and restoring. It’s a fun series!
Gossip in the Garden is book ten in the Inn at Holiday Bay series. I always get excited when there is a new book in a favorite series of mine. I was not disappointed. This story kept me hooked throughout. I highly recommend it!
Gossip in the Garden ( The Inn at the Holiday Bay) Book 10
By: Kathi Daley
Gossip in the Garden is book ten in the series The Inn at the Holiday Bay. Love the story and the characters, both are well written. Abby is still finding secrets due to her Inn being renovation. What will the secret be in this story? There is also a mystery woman that Georgia finds. Who is she and where does she come from? There is also a murder takes place. So Abby and Colt are pretty busy trying to find answers. The author keeps you guessing till the end.
Abby has settled down in Holiday Bay, Maine with her new family of animal companions and friends. She’s currently helping Lacy and Lonnie who are restoring a mansion as they find buried secrets. When a mysterious woman shows up at the inn with secrets of her own it seems that there’s a connection. Throw in a murder and life is crazy as usual for Abby.
Kathi Daley is a favorite author and this series is a favorite as well. This is a wonderful book that was a fun and easy read which kept me hooked from beginning to end. It’s well-written with well-rounded characters, some of whom you’ll like and others you won’t. I’m really looking forward to the next book. I highly recommend both book and series which I suggest you read in order.
Gossip in the Garden is the tenth book in Kathi Daley’s heartwarming 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 mysteries are well-plotted and complex, with lots of twists and turns to keep readers engaged. There’s a perfect blend of mystery, heartache, joy, caring, with a touch of romance. 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, but since moving to Holiday Bay, Maine, and opening the Inn at Holiday Bay, she’s made a new life for herself and found a home and a family. Georgia Carter, the inn’s talented cook/baker and manager, and her dog, Ramos, live with Abby, Rufus, a Maine Coon, and Molly, a terrier mix, in a cottage located on the property. Georgia’s cooking show, Cooking with Georgia, is doing quite well. Jeremy Slater lives in the inn’s basement apartment with his young niece, Annabelle, and is a valuable asset as he helps Georgia with the day-to-day operations of the inn.
Abby’s friend, Lonnie Parker, is refurbishing the Bar Harbor summer house Baron Chadwick recently inherited, and Lonnie’s wife, Lacy, is repairing, refinishing, and replacing furniture within the huge structure. The house was originally built in eighteen eighty-four by Ozzie Chadwick, and Abby has found herself caught up in the history of the Baron’s relatives. While researching the Chadwick family, Abby visits the Holiday Bay Museum and Historical Society and meets a volunteer, Patrick Montoya, who is very knowledgeable and is able to provide interesting details about the family. Abby and Lacy recently uncovered evidence that a secret room may exist beyond the walls of the library, and Abby is excited because Lonnie is ready to begin working in the library. Georgia and Abby are concerned about an elderly woman Georgia met on the bluff. The only thing the woman seems to remember is that her name is Rena. Meanwhile, Abby’s friend, Police Chief Colt Wilder, has his hands full investigating the recent murder of the volunteer Abby met at the museum, who everyone seems to have liked and respected.