Kathi Daley

Another 5 star read from Kathi Daley. I knew it would be, as this is one of several favorite series she writes that I buy as soon as they are available. This book made me wish I could suggest more than 5 stars.
Without giving too much away, it is a dark and stormy night, the book club is reading Frankenstein, apropos the season, the weather, and what is going on with several of the other characters. Being different, or feeling as if you are, feeling alienated and lonely - these themes are show more carried throughout the entire story.

A body is discovered in the bookstore, with a knife in her chest, yet no one heard a thing.
In asking questions of the book club members, Cait and Tara realize that perhaps we don't know as much about the people around us as we should.

Besides the psychic cats, another thing I appreciate about this series is how there are deeper meanings, often with lessons, below the surface of the stories. I love the camaraderie of the group and how they pull together to overcome obstacles. There are a few red herrings, that make you question if you are drawing the proper conclusions.

A chance meeting in the grocery store made me excited about potential for new storylines, or possibly even a new series? And a huge announcement, or two, near the end made me feel excited for different reasons.

When I sat down to read I should have known I would not get up until I turned the last page. show less

Thanksgiving Past by Kathi Daley is a 2020 publication.

Ainsley is back to help solve another mystery, this time involving a cold case in which an entire family went missing on Thanksgiving Day. Now, five years later, Parker, the investigative reporter, is determined to find out what happened…

For the past several years, I have made it a point to read a book with a Thanksgiving theme before diving into my Christmas novels. Sometimes that can be like finding a needle in a haystack. This show more year, I stumbled across this series and hit pay dirt.

The plot regarding the missing family was slightly far-fetched, but I liked the way it worked out, which had a heartwarming quality to it. The plot thickens for Ainsley as she continues to find out more about her heritage and might have been the part I found myself the most engaged in. The story concludes with a 'cliffhanger' that makes you want to pick up the next installment ASAP… which works for me since it will usher in the holiday season.

Overall, I’m glad I found this series and love all the holiday themes and am thankful for the cozy traditions the author sticks with.

3.5 rounded up show less

This has become one of my favorite series by Kathi Daley as well as a favorite as far as cozy mysteries go. I have enjoyed watching the Inn come back to life and getting to know the members of this community. This selection takes place over a matter of weeks as the final preparations are being made for the inn's Grand Opening.
Of course, no matter how well anyone plans, life adds complications as we make our way through each day. This wonderful addition to the series adds not only one or two show more but several mysteries to solve, as well as touching on a continuing theme that has been woven into all the books.
Although we are told that Abby's deceased husband has been cleared of all suspicion of wrong doing on his job as a cop, I still feel it could come back to play a roll somewhere down the line. I was happy that her sister, Annie, is also not totally out of Abby's life.
The book has everything we love about a Kathi Daley series - community events and adorable animals and food! Oh so much delicious food. Even without recipes given, my mouth was watering and I wanted to call friends over for a cook-out.

It also has a cold case mystery that the local law enforcement is puzzling out, some ancestry research that is popular today, including the mystery of a grave with only a single name. I thought I knew the answer to that one early on, but it kept my interest until proven. And of course all those secrets and treasures stored in the attic that had me anxiously awaiting this book.
Roll it all together and I had to read this book in one sitting!

So find yourself a comfortable spot and grab a cold drink. Turn off your phone ringer and enjoy! show less

I have been reading this series since the first book. As soon as a new one comes out I set aside time to enjoy. The characters are endearing. Each book is like a visit with old friends. And of course the cats are magical! Their clues are critical to solving the mysteries.

Over the course of time, things change. Children grow up, relationships strengthen or break. Traditions and routines, while cherished, sometimes need to be tweaked or set aside.
Cait and Cody know they are in love and want to show more be married. How to get it done without hurting someone's feeling?
Danny and Aiden are in business together. Their financial futures are riding on making the bar a success. Will a death there at the Grand Opening stop their dream before it begins or make them a more popular destination? Of course, that is if one of them is not convicted of murder.
Since Finn is now a member of the family, he can't investigate and the detective in charge has a grudge against Danny.

Full of tension but also friendship and a strong desire to find justice, can the group figure it out before the planned Halloween party? Secrets will be revealed and danger hits close to home.

I finished this book in one day. show less