Betrayal By The Bay

by Dawn M. Baca

She came to San Francisco for a fresh start. She didn’t expect her new neighbor to be a cat… or to trip over a nearly-dead body.
Greer Caldwell is finally reclaiming her life—new look, new city, new job. After a heartbreaking divorce and a career detour, the forty-nine-year-old travel writer just wants peace, good coffee, and maybe a cozy apartment with a view. But her first week in the quirky Haight-Ashbury district delivers more than she bargained a kleptomaniac cat, and a man bleeding out in an alley.
Now Greer’s reporter instincts are on high alert—and the charming (and suspiciously evasive) gallery owner she rescued isn’t making things any easier.
As missing art, late-night break-ins, and whispered secrets pull her deeper into a web of local intrigue, Greer finds herself tangled in a mystery with more twists than Lombard Street. And someone is working very hard to keep it all buried.
If she can’t crack the case, her second chance might turn into her final chapter.
For fans of amateur sleuths, found family, and a side of street art with their whodunits, Betrayal by the Bay is a heartwarming and twisty cozy mystery you won’t want to put down.
Curl up with Greer and uncover the secrets hiding in the fog—before someone silences her for good.

302 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 20, 2025

Reviews

[Lorraine O'Connor · Rating 2 out of 5]

I can barely give this a rating of 2 stars. I messaged the author 2 weeks ago and didn't hear back so here goes the review: The first chapter was so boring, I forced myself to continue because I gave my word. When Greer followed that cat into the dark alley, I couldn't believe she was so stupid regarding her own safety. Then I thought maybe they are both witches and the cat is the guy's familiar. But that wasn't it. Great for her she saved someone's life. Then (not sure how many days later) she is out walking and ends up there again looking at the blue paint mark. She sees someone with a hoodie on staring in the window of what looks like an art gallery. Then he shows her inside the gallery and one thing leads to another and this complete stranger offers to rent her his spare room. Seriously? Danger, danger! BTW - the reader still doesn't know this man's age or anything else about him. Maybe because he knew the cat and had named him Phoenix that made him somehow safe to her? Then lots of things are repeated many times. She notices something is off with Alan's right hand man and that he disappears a lot but doesn't say anything to him. The 2 of them find a crate in the back corner of the storage room courtesy of Phoenix and the open it. They are interrupted but do they go back and see what's in there? NO! Knowing that they didn't know that was there, should have caused Alan at least to want to go through the room box and furniture and sculpture, one at a time. but NO! The place is broken into and carefully trashed, not harming anything really important. Do they then search the room? NO! Then the manager is caught transporting drugs in the back of the paintings. Then with have the high society snob they catch a few weeks later and then another guy is going to blow the building up with all of them standing in it because the grandfather stole it from his grandfather. They stand there. I would have at least pointed out to the crazy person - 'hey, wouldn't it be better if we go outside and then when you blow up the building, you can watch his reaction?' Giving the police time to get there. But instead they stood there for what seemed like too long a time and then the police arrived. Still many, many unimportant things keep getting repeated. How Greer is starting over, how good she was at her former job, … . That's actually a lot more than I was going to say. I actually sent this to the author word for word. I have now saved everyone from having to read it. I am the reviewer who is usually considered 'soft', so for me to rate it a 2 star book says a lot.

[J Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving a complimentary copy.

I hadn’t read this author before, but the description immediately caught my attention—and Dawn absolutely delivered. The story pulled me in from the start and kept me metaphorically flipping the pages.

Greer is rebooting her life in a new city, landing in San Francisco with hopes of a fresh start. While apartment hunting, she stumbles across an orange tabby (who reminded me so much of my sweet boy Opie) and soon after discovers an injured man, Alan Caputo. As a thank you for saving his life, Alan offers Greer a room in the apartment above his art gallery.

What begins as a simple act of kindness quickly turns into a budding friendship—and a mystery. Items are disappearing from Alan’s gallery, and Greer finds herself pulled into figuring out who’s behind it. Will Greer and Alan uncover the thief? I’m already eager for book two and to see what Greer, Alan, and Phoenix stumble into next.

[Lizz Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

This cozy series kicks off with Greer moving to San Francisco. Having trouble finding an apartment but no trouble finding a headstrong feline, Greer finds a body in an alley. From there her life gets more complicated in a twisty and turny way. This novel had a good pace and kept me guessing. I was so glad the author didn't rely on the fish out of water trope to fill in the pages. The cat was awesome. This story also had a development of true ride-or-die friendship. Maybe a bit fast out of the gate, but still appropriately paced and enjoyable. I look forward to reading more in this series. This can be read as a standalone.

[J Young · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting new series.

The book is a good start to a new series. It has good bones. It kept me guessing with so many possible suspects. I would have given it a higher rating, but the storyline feels disjointed at times. As soon as one mystery is solved, others fall into the mix. It could have been split into a couple of books with more development. San Francisco is a good location, and Phoenix is a perfect sleuth cat. There are great possibilities for the next books. I received an advance copy, but my review is honest and voluntary.

[Tiffany Brewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Betrayal by the Bay by Dawn M. Baca is an engaging and cozy mystery that delights from start to finish. Set in lively San Francisco, the story follows Greer Caldwell as she reinvents her life and quickly finds herself pulled into a twisty murder investigation full of intriguing characters and surprising turns. Baca’s warm prose, clever pacing, and charming blend of sleuthing and friendship make this a thoroughly enjoyable read that keeps you turning pages and eager for the next in the Tourist Visa Mystery series. Highly recommended for fans of character-driven cozies with heart and suspense.

[Holly Stover · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Greer moves to San Francisco after a divorce she never expects to stumble over a man in an alley clinging to life. She ends up finding a best friend in the man but finds secrets around every corner regarding the art gallery he owns. Break ins start happening and it's up to her and Alan to solve the case.
I loved the characters in this book with close connections and snarky banter. Would highly recommend!

[Natalie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The backdrop of San Francisco was one of the reasons I picked up this book. It involves a cosy mystery with some good characters and a see all cat.

The mystery was ok but for me there was too much introspective and lamenting. It felt like I was watching through a fog. There was no real investigation. When the characters talked and interacted it was good but there was too much filler that was largely unrequired.

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book of not only a new series but a new genre for Ms Baca, it's also my first time reading this author but it won't be the last. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and I hope Ms Baca plans to write more in this genre, she's very good at mysteries. I found the characters well written and likeable. The story itself was twisty and kept me guessing. Enjoy

[Debbie Hagedorn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting concept. First in a series.
While the basic plot had some clever points, in places, it seemed a bit disjointed. Still, it was an entertaining story with engaging characters. Hopefully, the characters become much more three dimensional in subsequent books.
A nice read for cozy mystery fans. No foul language or gratuitous sex or violence.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

She came to a new city after everything went badly and she hoped this would be better for her. She will find a dead body and a cat who pinches items. She will be pulled into the case and we will follow her as she tries to find the answers. See how she gets on
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and a great murder mystery

[Lorraine Upton · Rating 5 out of 5]

AMAZING!! The story is so well thought out and kept me gripped and constantly guessing who did the crime. I love how the characters suddenly friendship grows though out the story. I didnt expect it to end the way it did. I would definitely recommend this book.

[DJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good story base; a good setup of the characters and location base of the series.
This book can be read as a standalone; it wraps up all the storylines of the current issues. I don’t want to say more and give it away for you.

[Sheena Winter · Rating 5 out of 5]

fantastic and just think it all started by Greer following a curious feline.

[Jane Y · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow what a good book.

I am hoping there is more series to this book?

[Ali W · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first book in a new cosy mystery series which was entertaining and enjoyable read with some interesting characters. I look forward to reading more in this series, and rate this 3.5 / 5

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

[Virginia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Compelling read that carried me right through as newly divorced travel journalist Greer Caldwell flees to San Francisco only to chase a cat into an alley where she finds an almost dead body. This act of calling 9-1-1 embroils her in the world of art heists, endangering her life. This is the beginning of a new series by a very talented writer and I can hardly wait for the next book.