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 8 in the series, Abby’s agent asks for help when the house she was going to rent to host a writers retreat becomes unavailable. After a bit of discussion, Abby agrees to have the retreat at the inn. The seven writers who will be staying at the inn for the week long event are new to publishing and Kate hopes the mentor she has hired to run things will be able to provide the valuable tips these new authors need. Of course what she doesn’t know is that Abby has a past with this particular mentor, and when all is said and done, fireworks of one sort or another are likely.
Meanwhile, Georgia has started taping her new cooking show, Abby is worried about the approaching blizzard, and Colt has a murder to solve, after six men get together for a friendly poker game but only five of the six men make it to the end of the night alive.
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A mixture of small town community and relationships, romance, and murder mystery.
This latest edition of the series has all the elements of a beloved closed house , limited suspect house party type mystery, plus the romantic drama of a mutual attraction unacted upon and right place, wrong time.
I enjoyed this 8th in the series. Abby hosts a writers retreat and one of the guests ends up a suspect after showing up to a poker game where a dead body is found.
I love the characters that Ms. Daley creates, they are real and make it easy to get involved in the story. The mystery was good and kept me guessing with a new layer that uncovers as you continue to read. I will definitely continue on with this series.
What a wonderful series. Have read several of the books in this series and think this one is my favorite so far. The mystery is full of red herrings and twists that will keep you on your toes. You would think that with only 5 suspects you would be able to find the murderer easily, however, that is not the case. Each suspect has a reason to want to murder the victim and none of them have a verifiable alibi. Kathi has a real talent keeping you in the mist of the mystery and looking forward to what will happen next. She is one of my favorite authors. The characters in this series, especially Abby, are people you would be proud to call friends. A must add to your TBR pile.
This is the eighth book in the Inn at Holiday Bay series where Abby moves to New England and ends up buying a house only by pictures. She decides to turn it into a Bed & Breakfast. She meets some very interesting people and finds that she loves this small New England town.
Kate, Abby’s publisher asks to host a writer’s retreat at her Bed & Breakfast and her old friend Dax is the host. While Dax is playing poker at a college friend’s house when someone dies! Another mystery for Abby to help Colt solve.
Kathi Daley is a great writer and tends to draw you into her stories of each of her books that I have read. This one is no exception.
I enjoyed returning to Holiday Bay! Despite the predicted blizzard, the writers’ retreat occurring at the Inn makes for the start of a pleasant weekend. There are a couple little exceptions: an old colleague joining the retreat and a murder during a poker game. The primary characters have depth and are likable and engaging, and I love the setting!
I like Abby and Georgia; they have had more than their share of adversity. They met shortly after Abby moved to Holiday Bay and bought the inn. Georgia is an excellent chef and manager while Abby writes the second of two thrillers she is under contract for. Her agent, Kate, filled the inn this weekend when the venue for her writers’ retreat had to cancel.
Kate represents the writers. Each is unique with delightful traits. The person mentoring the group is none other than Dax Sherman, a bestselling author Abby met when her career started. Abby and her late husband Ben were engaged to be married and her ring was at the jeweler when she met Dax at her first retreat. This weekend, she examines her old attraction to Dax and is hesitant to approach him. It may have been more than a decade since she met the best writer whose books she has read, but Georgia feels Abby owes it to herself to see if there was a connection between them.
There is someone else Abby owes it to. She has been going out, as friends with an understanding, with Colt Wilder, the local police chief. They met shortly after she bought the inn, and they found they made a good team to help solve some of the local crimes. Her intuition and logical thinking have helped them talk through cases he has had since she moved here.
A blizzard is on the way, with snow expected the night of the expected authors’ check-ins. All arrive safely and, as the storm isn’t too bad yet, Dax is going out to visit Tank, a college friend of his brother. Early the next morning, Dax calls Abby from the police station. He will be late returning – could she open the retreat for him? He has been detained as Tank’s brother Train was murdered last night. Unknown to Dax until he arrived, a poker game was going on, so he joined it. Train came when it was underway. Train was killed on the back porch when he stepped out for a cigarette.
This brings a slight conflict to Abby, as her friend Colt is in charge of the investigation, while old writing buddy Dax becomes a suspect – as is every person at the game. It seems each man there, except probably Dax, has a history with the victim. Train wasn’t that great of a guy and was not well liked. Everyone there is happy to point to someone else as a suspect for one reason or another – even Tank.
Plot twists are well-spaced and continue to change the face of the murder. The blizzard has its own hazards and is a deterrent to investigating at times. I like the regular characters in this series, and it is one of my two favorite series of the author. This time, though, the ending was vague (for me) regarding whodunit and a couple additional open ends. While it is assumed who the culprit is, it wasn’t definite, which is not what I usually feel with this author. It was quite the challenge to solve, however, which is good! Overall, I do recommend this novel and series, as the vague areas are this reader’s opinion.
From a thankful heart: I won a copy of this novel from the author and Lisa K’s book blog; a review was not requested.
I like this series. It has a great cast of characters and the mysteries are realistic, the logic to solve them is also realistic, not some conclusion from left field. I look forward to the next book in this series.
This is the eighth book in the series which I have loved. It features Abby Sullivan, an author,who buys an old house on the coast of Maine after losing her husband and infant son in an accident. She goes there planning on spending time alone but is adopted by a big Maine Coon named Rufus and is joined by a woman named Georgia and her giant dog, Ramos, as she transforms the house into an inn.
In this book, Abby’s agent contacts her and asks if she can use the Inn as a writer’s retreat. There are seven writers and a mentor who winds up being someone from Abby’s past. When that man goes to a friend’s house he ends up playing poker with five other men, one of whom is murdered. As Colt investigates, it turns out that the five survivors all have secrets that they don’t want revealed and some of them were being blackmailed by the victim. It’s up to Colt to solve the mystery and Abby helps out. And, as if that wasn’t enough, Holiday Bay is hit by a blizzard.
I really enjoyed this book and the series is great. The essence of small town life is captured and I love the characters. It’s nice to see how each of them moves on putting their pasts behind them. However, I was a bit disappointed with the ending as it left some questions unanswered. I hope that they’re cleared up in the next book. I do suggest both book and series which I suggest you read in order.
In this next book of the series Abby is getting ready to host a writer’s retreat at her Inn. Her agent booked the retreat for a group of writers after their previous location fell through. Abby agreed to the retreat and is looking forward to it until she finds out a man from her past will be attending. The man in question had Abby looking at feelings that she had no way of responding to. She would like to remedy these feelings once and for all but doesn’t want to hurt anyone in the process. Will she be able to deal or will she hide herself away while the writers enjoy their event? Meanwhile Colt is dealing with a murder and Georgia has started taking her new cooking show, not to mention a blizzard that is about to hit them. Follow along as Abby tries to make sense of her feelings, deals with the writers group and helps Colt and Georgia in all the ways only she can. This is a lovely series that its just a mystery but a view into the life of a woman slowly healing from tragedy that at one time consumed her.
Blizzard in the Bay is book eight in The Inn at Holiday Bay series. This was another great story in this series that kept me captivated from beginning to end. Definitely one not to be missed.
Blizzard by the Bay earns 5/5 Plot Twists…Totally Engaging!
Kathi Daley has penned another excellent drama with her ninth book in The Inn at Holiday Bay series. As a favor to her agent Kate, Abby is hosting a writers’ retreat for Kate’s newest writers who vary in age, style, genre, and not themselves without a few mysterious dramas. However, she learns the mentor taking charge is an old writing buddy. Years before Abby found herself attracted to said writing buddy, although at the time she was engaged. Now, there’s the relationship with Colt, although slowly evolving, so her apprehension has her contemplating running away for the duration. But, all goes very well with the reunion…relaxed, friendly, but is that a spark? Maybe, but all that is put aside when she is alarmed by an early call from him. There’s been a murder, and her old friend is at the police station being interviewed as a…witness? or a suspect? Six guys. Stranger arrives in need. Pizza delivery. Murder. Secrets revealed. A storm is brewing at Holiday Bay…literally and figuratively.
Very engaging! Kathi Daley’s writing style is a treat with language that brings about marvelous pictures of the wintery weather, characters, and setting. The dialogue does well to illustrate tone and emotions and varied personalities from naive to in-the-know, from quiet to outspoken, from innocent to suspicious. Kathi unfolds the drama often passively through conversations, Abby’s inner thoughts, and retelling of discoveries to piece together; there’s less direct legwork and surveillance, but not to say there aren’t some great surprises. Her characters are developing well, consistent in their responses, and reacting in a manner that is realistic. You might recognize in them friends, family, and acquaintances making an engaging read…the “I” perspective gives me a vicarious role. Abby has been gaining her footing since her family tragedy. She still has to deal with fears and lapses in confidence, and her gaining strength and a better understanding of what she wants has been fun to read! I wish there had been a recipe or two included. A opportunity missed with Georgia as the Inn’s chef and star of a local weekly cooking show; sharing some of her recipes would have been a great bonus.
A good addition to this cozy mystery series. Set in the middle of a big snow storm author and innkeeper, Abby, holds a writers’ workshop at the request of her editor. The workshop leader is an old acquaintance of Abby, and on the first night of the workshop he goes into town and gets embroiled in a murder.
This series has great characters and I like that we learn more about them as each book comes out. Although these are all standalone stories, the characters are so well defined that I missed the ones that didn’t show up this time around.
Blizzard in the Bay is the eighth book in the fabulous 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. In this story, a writer’s retreat is held at the Inn and one of the guests becomes involved in a murder investigation. It was fun to learn a little more about Abby’s past. I could hardly put the book down. There are several heart-warming/heart-wrenching stories within the mystery. 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.
Intriguing murder mystery and so much more. I love meeting the guests at the inn and learning their stories – some more involved than others but all very interesting. The murder mystery in this one has lots of twists and turns that it became very intriguing trying to decipher the clues and putting it all together. Great ending and looking forward to the next book. I also love reading and following the lives of the established characters in this series – very interesting and love gaining more insight in their characters. Would love to live in this town and have all as my friends!
Wow, this was a good story! I had no idea who the killer was, but the author always ties it up nicely and in a realistic way. The Hank / Tank / Frank thing was a bit of a problem for me – I read fast and had to go back a few times to keep everyone straight in my head because the names were so similar, so my advice would be to read this one slowly! This author is one of my all-time favorites and hasn’t yet written a book that I haven’t liked. Despite being very prolific, the quality of her stories has not diminished. Would highly recommend any Kathi Daley book.
Blizzard In The Bay ( The Inn At Holiday Bay #8 )
By: Kathy Daley
Blizzard In The Bay is book eight in the series The Inn At Holiday Bay. The story is well written and the characters are well developed. There are lots of twist and turns that keeps the reader turning the pages. Murder, mystery, writer’s retreat, and a blizzard. The author keeps you guessing in this cozy mystery.
Blizzard in the Bay is the eighth book in Kathi Daley’s heartwarming The Inn at Holiday Bay series. The setting is charming, and the well-developed characters are three-dimensional, compassionate, and caring. The storyline is well-plotted, with lots going on to keep the reader engaged. There are lots of twists and red herrings in this complex mystery. The writing style flows smoothly, and the book is a clean and easy read. I highly recommend this series to readers who enjoy well-crafted cozy mysteries.
Abby Sullivan’s life was dramatically changed when she lost her husband and their infant son in a tragic accident two years ago, 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. Jeremy Slater, who lives in the inn’s basement apartment with his young niece, Annabelle, has proven himself to be a valuable asset as he helps Georgia with the day-to-day operations of the inn. Abby’s agent, Kate, arranged for a four-day writers’ retreat to be held at the inn. Abby’s excited about the retreat and meeting the authors, but a little concerned when she learns the group’s mentor will be Dax Sherman, a writer she met at the first retreat she attended. As a blizzard approaches, Abby, Georgia, and Jeremy make sure the inn has everything they need and that their guests will be comfortable in case they’re snowed in. When Train Tyson is murdered during a poker game at his brother’s house, Abby’s friend, Police Chief Colt Wilder, has a murder to investigate, and unfortunately, one of the prime suspects is a guest at the inn.