Without a Shadow of Doubt

Olivia Penn Mysteries #5

by Kathleen Bailey

Find the cat. Crack the case.

The Highland Games have arrived just outside Apple Station, Virginia, bringing bagpipes, kilts, and a tide of tartan-clad tourists to the cozy small town. Advice columnist Olivia Penn is ready for a weekend of fun now that her life has finally settled into a quiet, steady rhythm. But when a local turns up dead in one of the town’s most iconic homes, a cryptic message from a friend draws her into a tangled mystery.

As Olivia investigates, family secrets and surprising motives surface, linking three brooches, an antique cross, and a 17th-century Scottish Bible. Clues connect seven suspects to the crime, and each has something to hide. When her friend can’t be found and the police start asking questions, the mystery hits closer to home and runs deeper than she ever imagined.

After an unlikely witness makes a shocking revelation, Olivia enlists her friends and a heroic search and rescue golden retriever to help her follow the trail before it goes cold. The man she loves is caught in the crosshairs, and to protect him, she’ll have to risk everything. Justice hinges on a missing cat, a chase through the woods, and a stare-down with a mama bear.

Without a Shadow of Doubt is the gripping fifth installment in the award-winning Olivia Penn Mystery Series. This fast-paced, heartwarming cozy mystery features charming characters, small-town intrigue, and a heroine you’ll love to root for. Perfect for fans of amateur sleuths, cozy suspense, and clean, feel-good mysteries with lovable cats and dogs.

Dive into the enchanting world of Apple Station, where a clever sleuth is always on the case. Your next unputdownable cozy mystery awaits! Read today!

344 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 4, 2025

About the author

Kathleen Bailey is the award-winning author of The Olivia Penn Mystery Series. She writes mysteries with heart and humor that keep to the traditional and cozy sides of crime. For over twenty years, she worked as a pediatric physical therapist with children who have special needs, drawing on degrees in English, psychology, and physical therapy. She now writes in Virginia with her feline assistant, who insists on supervising every draft. When she’s not writing, Kathleen can usually be found covered in cat hair, surrounded by far too many sticky notes, and plotting new twists to keep readers guessing. She is a member of Sisters in Crime. Visit her online at https://www.kathleenbaileyauthor.com.

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Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my most favorite mystery series, and I’m so happy to report that this latest addition was everything I had hoped it would be! Like the other books in the series, I was immediately drawn into the story. I love Apple Station, so opening my book felt like visiting my favorite place with many old friends. Kathleen has a lovely writing style that strikes the perfect balance of cozy details and strong plotting so that the pages fly by. I was fully immersed, only stopping to throw some dinner together for my family.

This new entry into the series featured a complex mystery that I did not figure out ahead of time, but I sure did enjoy tagging along with Olivia as she pieced together clues and analyzed the suspects (so many suspects!).She’s such a wonderfully developed character – brave, determined, kind and loyal. I’d love to be her friend. She’s like a grown up Nancy Drew!

The Scottish Highland Games in town was a creative subplot and added extra flavor to the details of the setting. Olivia is also surrounded by a wonderful cast of side-characters (her dad being my favorite), as well as adorable pets.

Readers simply cannot go wrong with this series, and Without a Shadow of Doubt is another five star read!

[Christa Nardi · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story starts with the Scottish Highland flavor, complete with bagpipes and kilts but set in Virginia. The murder of a local amidst the festivities shifts the focus as Olivia, an advice columnist, gets involved. Olivia is resourceful, collects clues, and takes risk to uncover the killer, even if it might strain some of her relationships.

This is my first book by Bailey and my introduction to Olivia, a great, no-nonsense character. She and her friends are likable and relatable. The story moves along quickly, with unexpected discoveries to keep Olivia - and the reader - on their toes. The setting lends itself to the story, the secrets, and the mystery. Then there's the dog, the cat, and the mama bear. I'd recommend this book to those who enjoy a good cozy mystery - and easily read as a stand-alone. That said, I plan on reading the previous books in the series.

FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book. This has not affected the content of my review in any way.

[Trish · Rating 4 out of 5]

During the Highland Games in the small town of Apple Station, Virginia, Olivia Penn gets involved with solving another murder. An older neighbor dies, Olivia receives a strange text message from a friend, and there is a missing cat ... and some Scottish family history.

I wanted to read Without a Shadow of a Doubt because I have enjoyed earlier books in the Olivia Penn mystery series.

This was another great mystery with Olivia. There is so much I enjoy about this series: Olivia's sweet relationship with her father, the pets (beagle Buddy and cat Willow), her romance with police officer Preston.

There are a number of suspects in this mystery and it made the sleuthing especially interesting! I enjoyed following along with Olivia as she worked diligently to solve the mystery.

I really enjoy the Olivia Penn series and look forward to the next book already! I recommend Without a Shadow of a Doubt for other cozy mystery fans.

[Sandy T · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this latest book in a fun mystery series. Olivia Penn is an interesting likeable main character. She is smart, a devoted daughter, a hard worker, an animal lover and a good person. This story was entertaining and well written. Olivia gets involved in the mystery of an elderly, well respected lady's death via a strange text message from the local PI, whom ends up missing. Her love relationship with one of the town's local officers keeps her connected to the ongoing investigation.

The small town is celebrating the Scottish Highlands by hosting the traditional Highland competition games and makes for an enjoyable subplot. I recommend this series and this book, which can be read as a standalone.

I received a free advance copy of this book via BookSirens and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book. The storyline was different which kept me interested, as well as having the Scottish Highland Games in town was awesome. I love anything Scottish, so this was a big bonus for me! Anyhoo, this mystery was intriguing, the characters were many and involved so it made it difficult to figure out who did what. Olivia and her golden take up the hunt and save the day. Very good storyline, kept my interest with lots of twists and turns. This is a very good series.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Delphia Von Heeder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Without a Shadow of Doubt is Book 5 in An Olivia Penn Mystery by Kathleen Bailey. Olivia is an advice columnist and in her spare time, she is a busy sleuth. When a local dies, Olivia must look into the murder. She is busy gathering clues and getting help from a golden retriever. I believe that this author writes excellent mysteries with great characters. Follow the clues and see if you can solve the murder before Olivia. I received an arc for free and am leaving my review voluntarily.

[Mrs K.Bryant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Without a Shadow of Doubt is a great story about Olivia Penn an Advice Columnist receives a cryptic message which starts her on an investigation of mystery after a burglary that went wrong. She looks for all the pieces of this puzzle. But also one of her friends go missing. Can the mystery be solved and her friend found?

Excellent story.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Karen L. Hicks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful mystery and characters. It kept me guessing and the ending was great. I received an advanced copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.