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Tess and Tilly #15
The Christmas Visitor
If you love small towns, endearing relationships, food, animals, and a touch of murder, you will love this mystery series set in the small town of White Eagle Montana.
It's December in White Eagle and Tess and Tony are preparing for a huge Christmas celebration. The town is planning their annual festival, which has Tess and Tony struggling to stay ahead of things. In addition to their work with the festival, Tess fills in for the mail carrier who took over her route and Tony spends long days with Shaggy working to finish the development of their most recent video game. In spite of their busy schedules' things seem to be going smoothly until an unexpected visitor comes to town with an unusual request sending Tess and Tony off in a direction no one had seen coming.
A Cozy Mystery
It's December in White Eagle and Tess and Tony are preparing for a huge Christmas celebration. The town is planning their annual festival, which has Tess and Tony struggling to stay ahead of things. In addition to their work with the festival, Tess fills in for the mail carrier who took over her route and Tony spends long days with Shaggy working to finish the development of their most recent video game. In spite of their busy schedules' things seem to be going smoothly until an unexpected visitor comes to town with an unusual request sending Tess and Tony off in a direction no one had seen coming.
A Cozy Mystery
151 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 14, 2023
About the author
Kathi Daley
744 books1,790 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 36 reviews
January 14, 2024
I loved the suspense in this book. It was awesome! The only character I do not care for is Bree. She seems to be somewhat of a drama queen and a cry baby. Definitely not the woman I would have matched up with Mike or type of person I would have chosen for Tessa's best friend.
November 16, 2023
I am a big fan of Kathi Daley and love all her cosy mystery series. I have been eagerly awaiting this book in the Tess and Tilly series.
Tess and Tilly, her dog, are back doing their old job for a while, delivering the mail in their small hometown of White Eagle covering for someone on sick leave. It's nearing Christmas, so a busy time for everyone.
One day, Tess and her husband Tony notice someone has broken into their lakeside home. Tony, a very successful computer games developer and computer expert, realises that someone has tried to access his state of the art computer system. Thinking it was Tess's Dad, they don't worry too much. However, when they get home a few days later, they find him in their house, and he's barely breathing.
Tess and Tiny, Mike and Bree (Tess's brother who is also the Sheriff, and his wife) get involved in helping to find a dangerous criminal, who may be hiding in plain sight in the town.
I couldn't put this book down, I had to find out what happened. Each book in this must read is a standalone mystery, but they are best read in order of publication to preserve continuity of the characters and wider storyline. I'm now waiting for the next adventure with these wonderful characters.
If you liked this book, please try some of her other series. They are all just as good, and I highly recommend them. A few to read are Finding Alaska; Cottage on Gooseberry Bay; Bookshop in Holiday Bay; Inn at Holiday Bay; Whales and Tails, and more. Lathi Daley has a recognisable writing style, ideal for a captivating cosy mystery.
Tess and Tilly, her dog, are back doing their old job for a while, delivering the mail in their small hometown of White Eagle covering for someone on sick leave. It's nearing Christmas, so a busy time for everyone.
One day, Tess and her husband Tony notice someone has broken into their lakeside home. Tony, a very successful computer games developer and computer expert, realises that someone has tried to access his state of the art computer system. Thinking it was Tess's Dad, they don't worry too much. However, when they get home a few days later, they find him in their house, and he's barely breathing.
Tess and Tiny, Mike and Bree (Tess's brother who is also the Sheriff, and his wife) get involved in helping to find a dangerous criminal, who may be hiding in plain sight in the town.
I couldn't put this book down, I had to find out what happened. Each book in this must read is a standalone mystery, but they are best read in order of publication to preserve continuity of the characters and wider storyline. I'm now waiting for the next adventure with these wonderful characters.
If you liked this book, please try some of her other series. They are all just as good, and I highly recommend them. A few to read are Finding Alaska; Cottage on Gooseberry Bay; Bookshop in Holiday Bay; Inn at Holiday Bay; Whales and Tails, and more. Lathi Daley has a recognisable writing style, ideal for a captivating cosy mystery.
November 21, 2023
A favorite Kathi Daley series
Tess, Tony, Mike and Bree are preparing for Christmas. Tess and Mike's elusive spy dad shows up, injured, and they nurse him back to health as he prepares to go after the enemy called the chameleon. While he is still there, Tess has to make up a story about Uncle Garrett, her dad's supposed brother when her mom shows up unexpectedly. As usual, there is a mystery and family issues. Look forward to next in the series.
Tess, Tony, Mike and Bree are preparing for Christmas. Tess and Mike's elusive spy dad shows up, injured, and they nurse him back to health as he prepares to go after the enemy called the chameleon. While he is still there, Tess has to make up a story about Uncle Garrett, her dad's supposed brother when her mom shows up unexpectedly. As usual, there is a mystery and family issues. Look forward to next in the series.
November 14, 2023
The Christmas Visitor is the fifteenth book in Kathi Daley’s Tess and Tilly Cozy Mystery series. I love the wonderful characters as well as the charming setting. Once again, Ms. Daley has provided readers with a clean, fun read. The characters are three-dimensional and affable, and the storyline in this complex whodunit is well-plotted and intriguing. I highly recommend this series to those who enjoy well-crafted, cozy mysteries.
Tess Marconi works for Brady Baker, the local veterinarian and shelter owner, at the animal shelter, where she oversees the basic training for the dogs and placement of the shelter’s residents in forever homes. She’s also involved with training search and rescue dogs and occasionally participates in search and rescue missions. Even though Tess retired from her job delivering mail in the White Eagle, Montana community, she and her dog, Tilly, fill in whenever there’s a staffing issue. Her husband and one of her best friends, Tony Marconi, is a computer genius and has partnered with his friend, Shaggy, to develop video games. Her mother co-owns a café, Sisters’ Diner, with her aunt. Tess has one brother, Mike, who is a member of the White Eagle Police Department and married to her other best friend and bookstore owner, Bree. Mike and Bree are the proud parents of a young daughter, Ella, and hope to continue to grow their family.
In this installment, the residents and business owners of White Eagle are preparing for its annual Christmas Festival. In addition to helping decorate the community center and organizing the events for the first annual Twelve Days of Christmas, Tess and Tilly are delivering mail on her old USPS route while the current mail carrier is on medical leave. Tony is also helping to decorate the community center, organize the events for the first annual Twelve Days of Christmas, and work with Shaggy to fix a few glitches in the video game they plan to promote during a video game convention in Lake Tahoe in February. Tess and Tony are dealing with a security breach at their home, and an unexpected visitor asks for Mike, Tony, Tess, and Bree’s help.
Tess Marconi works for Brady Baker, the local veterinarian and shelter owner, at the animal shelter, where she oversees the basic training for the dogs and placement of the shelter’s residents in forever homes. She’s also involved with training search and rescue dogs and occasionally participates in search and rescue missions. Even though Tess retired from her job delivering mail in the White Eagle, Montana community, she and her dog, Tilly, fill in whenever there’s a staffing issue. Her husband and one of her best friends, Tony Marconi, is a computer genius and has partnered with his friend, Shaggy, to develop video games. Her mother co-owns a café, Sisters’ Diner, with her aunt. Tess has one brother, Mike, who is a member of the White Eagle Police Department and married to her other best friend and bookstore owner, Bree. Mike and Bree are the proud parents of a young daughter, Ella, and hope to continue to grow their family.
In this installment, the residents and business owners of White Eagle are preparing for its annual Christmas Festival. In addition to helping decorate the community center and organizing the events for the first annual Twelve Days of Christmas, Tess and Tilly are delivering mail on her old USPS route while the current mail carrier is on medical leave. Tony is also helping to decorate the community center, organize the events for the first annual Twelve Days of Christmas, and work with Shaggy to fix a few glitches in the video game they plan to promote during a video game convention in Lake Tahoe in February. Tess and Tony are dealing with a security breach at their home, and an unexpected visitor asks for Mike, Tony, Tess, and Bree’s help.
November 20, 2023
This is the fifteenth book in the Tess & Tilly series. Even though I enjoy these characters and have really enjoyed this series, 15 is enough. I didn't enjoy this book as much as I did the previous ones. It just didn't seem to have the depth and intrigue the previous books did.
In this episode, White Eagle is getting ready for the holiday season. As we follow the residents, Tess and her loyal sidekick Tilly are back delivering mail on their old route after the current mail carrier goes on medical leave.Tess and Tony are also helping out with the Christmas festival, which could be full-time job. Bree is dealing with some personal issues which have her feeling down, while Mike is juggling being there for his wife and solving crimes in their little town. Tony and Tess have a security break-in at their home, and they have an unexpected guest who needs their assistance. Tony has a brilliant idea on how to catch a criminal
Community, friendship, family, and helping others are at the heart of this story, as well as solving a mystery. The characters are likable and well-developed. My favorite character is Tess, and I love the animals, especially the dogs. I gave this a 4 stars because it really isn't up to par with the previous books in the series.
In this episode, White Eagle is getting ready for the holiday season. As we follow the residents, Tess and her loyal sidekick Tilly are back delivering mail on their old route after the current mail carrier goes on medical leave.Tess and Tony are also helping out with the Christmas festival, which could be full-time job. Bree is dealing with some personal issues which have her feeling down, while Mike is juggling being there for his wife and solving crimes in their little town. Tony and Tess have a security break-in at their home, and they have an unexpected guest who needs their assistance. Tony has a brilliant idea on how to catch a criminal
Community, friendship, family, and helping others are at the heart of this story, as well as solving a mystery. The characters are likable and well-developed. My favorite character is Tess, and I love the animals, especially the dogs. I gave this a 4 stars because it really isn't up to par with the previous books in the series.
December 25, 2023
Lots going on with the Christmas festival and Tess is covering mail delivery for a few weeks but lots of strange things happening too, Tess comes home one night to find the chain lock on the front door and footsteps leading up to the house. Tony finds someone has tried to access his computer but couldn't, something is clearly wrong so they send a message to Tess' dad to find out what is happening and what needs to be done and the craziness just keeps coming. Love following Tess' adventures as she works her way through this and a couple of very shocking reveals! Great read!
November 15, 2023
Another entertaining visit to White Eagle, MT. Tess and Tony are heavily involved with the community Christmas activities as Christmas is just two weeks away. However, there are mysteries to be solved and a visit from Tess and Mike's dad catapults them into an intriguing hunt for an international spy right in White Eagle. Twists, few suspects and family all kept me turning the pages.
December 29, 2023
I really enjoy this series. The amateur sleuth is Tess and she is great. This one is about a Christmas VIsitor and to say anything as to who it is and how it came about. This is a MUST READ even if you haven't read this series before. It looks like there is one more in this series and I can't wait to read it.
November 17, 2023
The Christmas visitor
This book was wonderful. It had a mystery plenty of action and still had fun family times. I love the scenery and all the characters I’m looking forward to the next book in the series.
This book was wonderful. It had a mystery plenty of action and still had fun family times. I love the scenery and all the characters I’m looking forward to the next book in the series.
November 19, 2023
Loved It!
I was so happy to see a new Tess and Tilly book. I love all the characters in this series. There was a lot of action and suspense in this one and I'm looking forward to the next one.
I was so happy to see a new Tess and Tilly book. I love all the characters in this series. There was a lot of action and suspense in this one and I'm looking forward to the next one.
December 10, 2023
Uncle Garrett
What an interesting turn of events. A wounded "stranger", a weapons dealer, and someone trying to take out Grant's colleagues. Tess, Tony, Mike and Bree helped as much as the could and kept their mom in the dark about it all.
What an interesting turn of events. A wounded "stranger", a weapons dealer, and someone trying to take out Grant's colleagues. Tess, Tony, Mike and Bree helped as much as the could and kept their mom in the dark about it all.
December 14, 2023
A Tests and Fully Mystery #15
Excellent story in this series. I love the characters and the storyline is so intriguing with the "dead" father turning up more. His undercover life adds.a.definite flavor to the storytelling.
Excellent story in this series. I love the characters and the storyline is so intriguing with the "dead" father turning up more. His undercover life adds.a.definite flavor to the storytelling.
December 26, 2023
Tess & Tony work on the Christmas festival for the town. Her dad shows up injured and throw them into another mystery to solve. Tess and Mike have to concoct a story that their dad is a long lost brother of his when their mom sees him at Tess’s.
January 1, 2024
Very interesting, somewhat suspenseful story. Though it's part of a series it works as a stand-alone. The writer has tactfully woven in some backstory to give readers the general idea without using an info-dump to reveal all that's happened to these people heretofore.
April 13, 2024
Great characters and the building suspense was very exciting. The series just gets better and better. I love the characters and can’t wait for the next book. Thank you Ms Daley for another amazing book.
May 20, 2026
Who is that?
This was an interesting mystery of who is the best fit for the spy game. But they had another thing going on too. So much for a relaxing time before Christmas. And now the really important question; who is hosting Xmas eve dinner???
This was an interesting mystery of who is the best fit for the spy game. But they had another thing going on too. So much for a relaxing time before Christmas. And now the really important question; who is hosting Xmas eve dinner???
July 5, 2026
Spies and Christmas! Not so strange since a lot of spying goes on at Christmas but ...
Tony and Tess have their hands full this time around! Danger and excitement! And a houseful of family! What will the next book bring?? I can't wait!!!
Tony and Tess have their hands full this time around! Danger and excitement! And a houseful of family! What will the next book bring?? I can't wait!!!
November 16, 2023
Great book
This is another great book in the Tess and Tilly series by Kathi Daley. What a surprise visit. I can't wait to see what happens next.
This is another great book in the Tess and Tilly series by Kathi Daley. What a surprise visit. I can't wait to see what happens next.
November 20, 2023
Uncle, love it! Perfect! Great read.
November 24, 2023
A dog tracker really comes in handy, doesn't it??? I enjoyed this story and recommended the book.
November 30, 2023
Another great story with Tess and her family and friends in White Eagle during Christmas and of course a mystery to solve!
December 14, 2023
I didn’t find this very Christmassy. I felt that “Spy Dad” being such a big part of the story, with the resultant lies and deceptions, ruined the book for me. I liked the early Tess and Tilly books much better. Unless Mom is really stupid and really forgiving, the storyline was a mistake. How can she, or the rest of the town trust the little band of spy helpers again?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 13, 2023
Another great Tess and Tilly mystery!
December 25, 2023
Since I couldn't quite shake Tess and Tillie out of my head after reading the four years ago Christmas book, I decided to see if there was a current Christmas read. Yes! Much like the other one, it's high on intrigue and secrets, but has a bit more of a Christmas feel to it. In this one, not only do we find out what Mike and Bree have been up to in the. sigh, four years since the last book I reviewed, but Tess and Tony have a holiday visitor. Her mom still hasn't been clued in about her father but it's surely getting more and more difficult for that secret to be kept, I'm sure. Even Sam, Mom's friend and an ex-intelligence agent himself, knows the truth. Talk about complications.
In any case, the initial question was, is there a dead body somewhere or not? See what I mean about things being complicated? Tess and Tony discover someone has broken into not only their home but Tony's high tech computer area, too. They find blood and it isn't from the dogs, dogs mysteriously locked up when they come home. Then we get to enjoy Christmas a bit. I loved the idea of the 12 Days of Christmas bingo game. People gather stamps at any of the various activities they attend, then use them for the fun bingo game near the festival's end. Each square uses one of the activities named. Needless to say, the spirit of competition made for a popular activity. But, next thing we know, Tess and Tony return home to find another intruder, this time near death. Yep, more and more complications.
There also seems to be an international spy on the loose, one tagged with the name Chameleon since they seem to be so talented at changing and hiding their identity. Seems they've most likely taken up residence in our characters' home town, so the rush is on to narrow down possibilities and find the culprit. Will they be successful? Who is that intruder so near death? With all this intrigue going on, will Mike be able to handle his rule with the police while fretting over his depressed wife? What's with the possibility of twins? What clever way does Tony come up with on the spot to help trace the Chameleon? But, wait. What....oh, more than enough teasers. It's an interesting, not-very-Christmas-y Christmas read but a quick, fun read. Now that I've sorta caught up to Tess and the rest, I'm looking forward to their next adventure. Trust me, it's never a dull one.
In any case, the initial question was, is there a dead body somewhere or not? See what I mean about things being complicated? Tess and Tony discover someone has broken into not only their home but Tony's high tech computer area, too. They find blood and it isn't from the dogs, dogs mysteriously locked up when they come home. Then we get to enjoy Christmas a bit. I loved the idea of the 12 Days of Christmas bingo game. People gather stamps at any of the various activities they attend, then use them for the fun bingo game near the festival's end. Each square uses one of the activities named. Needless to say, the spirit of competition made for a popular activity. But, next thing we know, Tess and Tony return home to find another intruder, this time near death. Yep, more and more complications.
There also seems to be an international spy on the loose, one tagged with the name Chameleon since they seem to be so talented at changing and hiding their identity. Seems they've most likely taken up residence in our characters' home town, so the rush is on to narrow down possibilities and find the culprit. Will they be successful? Who is that intruder so near death? With all this intrigue going on, will Mike be able to handle his rule with the police while fretting over his depressed wife? What's with the possibility of twins? What clever way does Tony come up with on the spot to help trace the Chameleon? But, wait. What....oh, more than enough teasers. It's an interesting, not-very-Christmas-y Christmas read but a quick, fun read. Now that I've sorta caught up to Tess and the rest, I'm looking forward to their next adventure. Trust me, it's never a dull one.
January 16, 2024
Who is the chameleon and where is he or she??? A dog tracker??? I enjoyed this story and recommended the book.
January 29, 2024
Read and Fully find a chameolne
Finding trouble for Tests seems to run in streaks, not only does she find a weapons group, but a spy to boot.
Finding trouble for Tests seems to run in streaks, not only does she find a weapons group, but a spy to boot.
July 9, 2024
Fantastic! Love all the characters and the mystery was good.
August 15, 2024
I loved this book. Can't wait till the next one.
December 4, 2024
Good Christmas read
Intrigue, mystery starts this story off and continues with a bit of oops and mishaps along the way. Good homecoming background story.
Intrigue, mystery starts this story off and continues with a bit of oops and mishaps along the way. Good homecoming background story.
January 21, 2025
I have read all 15 in this series. Nothing about this storyline was plausible. Snd yet, I will start #16 because I like the characters but Bree is becoming a bit melodramatic.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews