When Jack receives a disturbing email from a man claiming to have killed eight people, he sets off on a road trip with Jill and Kizzy in search of the answers he will need to stop this madman before he is able to kill victim number nine. With the help of the gang from the Mystery Mastermind group, Jack and Jill not only find the remains of the pervious victims, but they begin to form a theory of … of why the killer did what he did and who his next victim might be.
Meanwhile the Mystery Mastermind group welcomes four new members, Jack’s mom is seriously dating a man in his twenties, Rick and Vikki are talking marriage, and Clara starts having strange dreams that no one can explain.
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The Gull Island Writer’s Retreat has both permanent residents as well as temporary guests. The only requirement be that they be writers, at any stage of their career. While a few are in their twenties, and a few more under forty, the majority of these writers is closer to senior citizen status.
Jack Jones is one of the more veteran writers and regularly turns out best sellers. With his latest novel, told from the mindset of a killer, he seems to have attracted the attention of someone who wants him to believe he, too, is a serial killer. “Sam” admits to having buried eight victims and is willing to play a game with Jack to prevent there from being a ninth.
Jack, and girlfriend, Jill, also a writer and the person who manages the writers’s retreat, decide that if they can save even one person, and provide closure to the families of the previous victims, chose to do as suggested and follow the clues to discover the graves and prevent a final murder.
While the theme of this addition to the series is more tense and dark, (are they walking into a trap?) it is interesting to follow along as the writers review the cold cases and re-interview people who knew the girls who disappeared. Only because of this email set-up are Jack and Jill sure that the girls are dead. It is still a clean cozy, neither too graphic or explicit.
As we all know, even when on the trail of a story, life goes on. Jack’s mother wants him to meet her new significant other, a man she has decided to travel with and marry and who happens to be decades younger than herself, young enough to be Jack’s son. Several of the new residents at the retreat are rethinking their moving there and resident psychic Clara is once again experiencing repeated visions or nightmares.
The ending is an unexpected shock.
An Odd and Troubling Quest
Ninth Grave is the ninth book in Kathi Daley’s Writers’ Retreat Mystery series. Ms. Daley’s writing style flows smoothly at a steady pace. This is a clean read, the characters are well rounded and likable, and the mystery is well plotted and intriguing. The pages of this book are filled with caring and compassionate characters, a unique and complex mystery, plus a touch of sweet romance. There are enough twists and red herrings to keep the reader engaged and guessing until the startling and unexpected reveal. I highly recommend this series to anyone who enjoys a well-crafted mystery.
Jack Jones, one of the residents at Gull Island Writer’s Retreat, asks the members the Mystery Mastermind Group to consider looking into an unusual case. Jack, the owner of the local newspaper and a published author, received an email that he first thought was fan mail, but after saying how much he enjoyed Jack’s books, especially the last novel, the writer, Sam, went on to say that he could identify with the main character since he, too, had killed multiple people. Sam’s killing spree lasted four years, and five of his victims have never been found. Sam went on to say he was ready for it to end and wanted Jack to locate the unmarked graves before there was a ninth victim. Everyone was leery, fearing it was a trap set by a serial killer, but with the hope of saving someone’s life, Jack, Jill, and their dog, Kizzy, set out on an emotional journey. Jill’s worried about Clara who’s having horrible nightmares, and wonders if they might somehow be related to Sam’s killing spree. As Sam feeds them information, their friend, Deputy Rick Savage, helps them follow the clues provided by Sam, identify the victims, and smooth the way with local authorities when necessary. Jack is surprised when his mother announces that she’s met a man who she plans to marry. While Jack wants her to be happy, but he becomes quite concerned when he learns that the man is thirty-four years younger than his mother is.
Very intriguing! Jack brings a situation to the group. His latest thriller involves a man who becomes a serial killer whose victims all abused their daughters. He gets a piece of fan mail from someone named Sam who states that they identify with the killer in Jack’s book and asks for Jack’s help in finding his eight victims or a ninth victim will be killed. Jack and Jill set out on a road trip to see what they can discover. An intriguing tale that comes with a shocking end. I have come to love these characters and the cases they solve. The stories have been very intriguing and I would love to see more!
I have been following this series from the beginning. From the first book to the current, they just keep getting better. Kathi Daley is an expert storyteller whose talent is shown throughout the story. This series makes me envy the characters that are all part of the retreat, wishing I could become one of them. I feel each book could be read as a stand-alone, as each resident of The Gull Island Writers Retreat is introduced at the very beginning. As always, starting with the first book in the series is best, as it gives you a glimpse into the why and how the group came into being.
Each character brings something to the group that is useful in solving the mysteries and many times a cold case. Following along with the story line brings a sense of realism to the book. As I became caught up within the chapters, I found myself immersed in the story. Ms. Daley’s writing is one that will enthrall as well as challenge your mind to figure out the plot. Wonderful job of building realistic characters, descriptive scenery, and a fight to see justice served!
“Ninth Grave” earns 5/5 Cat and Mouse Games…Engaging with an Edge!
This series is my favorite of Kathi Daley’s ten different series, and this “ninth” book has an engaging edge. With a clever premise the Mystery Mastermind group at the Gull Island writer’s retreat gather regularly to discuss a cold case of personal or professional interest to one of them. Up for discussion comes after Jackson Jones, acclaimed crime thriller writer, received an email from a fan of his latest book, but it’s not the usual “love it” review. The “fan” admits to closely identifying with the book’s protagonist because he, too, has, for a good reason, committed multiple murders between 2014 to 2018. The “fan” wants to stop and, like that of a game, Jack to uncover the location of his victims. If not? There will be a ninth grave…
Kathi Daley uses a first-person narrative to share Jill’s perspective as she and Jack follow the directions provided by the “fan,” reviewing reports, conducting interviews, and making heart-wrenching discoveries that increases the intensity as they realize they are not rescuing someone, but locating remains. Daley describes the various settings well and includes dialogue that best illustrates the mood and emotions. She also adds a bit of a paranormal twist with one of the writers, a self-proclaimed psychic, experiencing some prophetic nightmares that add more drama. One element I like is that law enforcement is not circumvented, but used as a partner in their search. The ending? Just what I hoped…a bit of drama, a bit of peril, revelations, and a surprise! Daley’s work always goes beyond the murder mystery, as life goes on with issues relating to the residents at the retreat and Jack’s mother’s May to her December romance. In all, a great read, and at the end a tease as to what the tenth book may entail…
In this next book of the series it is Jack’s turn to present a case before the group. He has received an upsetting letter from someone who claims to be a serial killer. They want Jack to follow some instructions and find his victims buried in marked spots. He will get the marked spots after investigating the disappearance of each victim and coming to a conclusion on who he think the killer is. Jill goes along to help figure out the clues given and to help ask questions of the people who were around when the girls went missing. Jack is told that if he can’t find the answers that the killer wants that there will be a ninth victim. Jill and Jack hope that they can come up with the answers they need to keep someone else from being killed. This was a wonderfully exciting read, I loved the concept and followed the clues in hopes of coming up with my own conclusion before reaching the end. I will say that my mind changed several times before I reached the end and I was partially right before I found the answer at the end. Follow along and find out what turned this person into a killer and why they decided it was time for things to come to a conclusion.
Ninth Grave is the ninth book in the Writer’s Retreat Southern Seashore Mystery series. This fast-paced story is filled with the elements of a cozy mystery including suspense, adventure, love, friends and family, and a sense of community.
The main character is Jill Hanford, a newspaper reporter who also assists her older brother in running a writer’s retreat resort on Gull Island off the coast of South Carolina. The authors at the resort are comprised of authors from various genres, who formed a group called the Mystery Mastermind Group. Every Monday evening the group gathers for a meal and discusses a mystery, often a cold case from the past. In this story Jack Jones, the owner of the newspaper and an author of mysteries and thrillers, receives an e-mail from Sam, who claims to be a serial killer who killed eight people in a four year span. Sam said there was about to be a ninth victim if Jack doesn’t stop him. Jill and Jack set out to follow Sam’s clues to find and learn more about the victims to strive to save the life of the ninth victim. Secrets from the past are revealed and the killer’s identity is exposed.
As always, Mrs. Daley’s writing flows smoothly, and her setting and likable characters make for an extremely enjoyable and quick read. I really look forward to reading the next book in this series.
A cold case to solve with a different twist to it – a killer contacted them to find the victims before he/she kills again. Jack and Jill are given clues to investigate the murders and find the bodies. Definitely a well crafted mystery to read as you try to figure out who the killer is and solve the mystery and the end is certainly a shocker – one you won’t see coming. Kathi Daley is an author who gives one an excellent story with intriguing characters – one I highly recommend to all who love cozy mysteries.
Ninth Grave is book nine in the Writer’s Retreat Mystery series. Full of twists and turns, this story is one you just cannot put down. I really enjoyed it, and I highly recommend it.
Ninth Grave ( A Writer’s Retreat Mystery Book #9 )
By: Kathi Daley
Ninth Grave is book nine in A writer’s Retreat Mystery Series. I love the story and the characters, both are well written and well developed. The author drew me in at the start and I was hooked. The story flows smoothly. It is a good, clean, cozy mystery. It is a fast paced mystery and suspense that keeps you turning the pages to see what is going tom happen next. Jack , Jill, and Kizzy set out on a mystery road trip in search of answers from a mad man. The man emails Jack about some murders that he committed. Are they going on a wild goose chase or are they putting themselves in danger. Can they find answers they are looking for? Can they prevent the ninth grave? The author keeps you guessing till the end.