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The Inn at Holiday Bay #7
Note in the Nutcracker
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 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 7 in the series, a whole new group of guests check into the Inn each with their own reason for being there and their own story to tell. Once of the guests, a single woman named Miley, finds a long forgotten letter to Santa in the mouth of the life sized nutcracker Abby has recently purchased from a local antique store. The list does not ask Santa for toys or games but for time with her parents. The note also lists the activities she wishes they could do together over Christmas such as building a snowman and taking a sleigh ride. Miley, who is in Holiday Bay to find her one true love, decides to accomplish all the items on the list herself while she is waiting for Mr. Right to come along.
Meanwhile Abby wonders what ever happened to the child who left the list and why the list was still in the nutcracker all these years later. Her research pulls her into an unsolved mystery which she finds herself determined to solve before the arrival of the holiday.
While Miley is busy meeting Mr. Right and accomplishing the tasks on the list, and Abby is busy trying to figure out what became of the child who wrote the list, Georgia is cooking up a storm as she searches for the perfect cookie to enter in a local contest.
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 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 7 in the series, a whole new group of guests check into the Inn each with their own reason for being there and their own story to tell. Once of the guests, a single woman named Miley, finds a long forgotten letter to Santa in the mouth of the life sized nutcracker Abby has recently purchased from a local antique store. The list does not ask Santa for toys or games but for time with her parents. The note also lists the activities she wishes they could do together over Christmas such as building a snowman and taking a sleigh ride. Miley, who is in Holiday Bay to find her one true love, decides to accomplish all the items on the list herself while she is waiting for Mr. Right to come along.
Meanwhile Abby wonders what ever happened to the child who left the list and why the list was still in the nutcracker all these years later. Her research pulls her into an unsolved mystery which she finds herself determined to solve before the arrival of the holiday.
While Miley is busy meeting Mr. Right and accomplishing the tasks on the list, and Abby is busy trying to figure out what became of the child who wrote the list, Georgia is cooking up a storm as she searches for the perfect cookie to enter in a local contest.
145 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 19, 2019
1679 people are currently reading
420 people want to read
About the author
Kathi Daley
328 books1,752 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 138 reviews
January 6, 2020
Note in the Nutcracker by Kathi Daley is a lovely Christmas mystery that provided a lovely afternoon read. Abby and Georgia have an inn full of guests, some of which have become almost like family. A note found in a nutcrackers leads Abby on a quest for answers regarding a murder that occurred decades ago. In many ways this story was bittersweet but I do enjoy visiting Holiday Bay.
December 22, 2019
In this next book of the series the holiday season is fast approaching and Abby has an array of guests arriving. While being shown around the Inn, Mylie, a new guest, finds a note hidden in the mouth of a life sizes nutcracker that Abby recently received as a gift. The note is actually a letter to Santa from a young girl hoping that instead of gifts her parents will spend that Christmas with her doing things together as a family. Abby feels sorry for the young girl and wants to find out whether the girls wish came true or not. Meanwhile Mylie thinks it will be fun to accomplish the list of activities the girl listed that she would like to do with her family. I'm an unexpected turn of events Abby finds the young girl, now an old woman, and learns of what actually happened that Christmas. The now old woman looks to Abby to help her solve a mystery from her childhood. Abby decides she has to at least try but worries that the holiday season and all that comes with it may get in the way. Follow along as she looks to solve this mystery, keep her guests happy and filled with holiday spirit, and doesn't get bogged down in her own personal sadness brought about by the holiday.
April 4, 2021
Mystery writer/innkeeper Abby Sullivan is delighted when her friend Lacy gifts her with a life-size antique nutcracker. The gift sets Abby and friends off on a hunt when they find an old letter to Santa in the nutcracker and are determined to track down the writer.
This Christmas-themed novel is a fun and lighthearted cozy mystery perfect for the holiday season. Nothing too heavy, just interesting characters solving an old mystery. Plus, their lists of holiday fun add to the Christmas spirit brimming from the book.
This Christmas-themed novel is a fun and lighthearted cozy mystery perfect for the holiday season. Nothing too heavy, just interesting characters solving an old mystery. Plus, their lists of holiday fun add to the Christmas spirit brimming from the book.
April 13, 2020
Note in the Nutcracker earns 5/5 Santa Letters...Endearing & Engaging Fun!
The Inn at Holiday Bay series is a marvelous addition to the Kathi Daley world, and with seven books, readers have experienced a transformation of the grand Inn and plenty of mysteries and murder. Abby Sullivan may be an innkeeper, but she is also a writer who is struggling to pen the thriller due soon to her editor. A well-received distraction comes from BFF Georgia Carter’s culinary test runs for her entries in the Christmas cookie contest to air on local cable. It’s also the holidays, and the new guests are arriving each have their own story. One guest, Mylie Sanders, was told her “soulmate” would be found in Holiday Bay, so the other guest, dubbed bachelor one, two, and three, may just fit the psychic’s prediction. But, it’s the mystery of the life-size, antique nutcracker that grabs everyone’s interest when a “Dear Santa” letter is found in its mouth. The letter is a list of activities the child wished to do with her parents, and as a kind of homage to the unknown child, completing the list is incorporated into the inn’s daily holiday fun. However, the history of the nutcracker as well as the who and why behind the letter sparks Abby’s interest, and subsequently, a murder for which the wrong man may have been convicted. And Colt’s out-of-town with his niece and nephew, so his participation is long-distance.
Kathi Daley is a master of holiday cozies, and at Christmas, she always provides ample tree trimming, cookie decorating, family gatherings, and of course, a decades-old case of murder! The mystery is quite intriguing and everyone gets involved with the mystery behind the letter and uncovering the truth of a sad sixty-year-old murder. And Christmas is in full swing as Daley gives readers a marvelous view into a long list of Christmas activities. Daley’s writing style and first-person narrative is filled with descriptive language and dialogue making this an entertaining page turner. Abby’s personal tragedy is not far from her memory, but her strength and new found friendships have made her life rewarding and maybe a hint of a new romance. No bonus recipes, though! With a cookie contest and Georgia known for her creative meals, I would have enjoyed a recipe or two from Georgia’s kitchen...just saying.
The Inn at Holiday Bay series is a marvelous addition to the Kathi Daley world, and with seven books, readers have experienced a transformation of the grand Inn and plenty of mysteries and murder. Abby Sullivan may be an innkeeper, but she is also a writer who is struggling to pen the thriller due soon to her editor. A well-received distraction comes from BFF Georgia Carter’s culinary test runs for her entries in the Christmas cookie contest to air on local cable. It’s also the holidays, and the new guests are arriving each have their own story. One guest, Mylie Sanders, was told her “soulmate” would be found in Holiday Bay, so the other guest, dubbed bachelor one, two, and three, may just fit the psychic’s prediction. But, it’s the mystery of the life-size, antique nutcracker that grabs everyone’s interest when a “Dear Santa” letter is found in its mouth. The letter is a list of activities the child wished to do with her parents, and as a kind of homage to the unknown child, completing the list is incorporated into the inn’s daily holiday fun. However, the history of the nutcracker as well as the who and why behind the letter sparks Abby’s interest, and subsequently, a murder for which the wrong man may have been convicted. And Colt’s out-of-town with his niece and nephew, so his participation is long-distance.
Kathi Daley is a master of holiday cozies, and at Christmas, she always provides ample tree trimming, cookie decorating, family gatherings, and of course, a decades-old case of murder! The mystery is quite intriguing and everyone gets involved with the mystery behind the letter and uncovering the truth of a sad sixty-year-old murder. And Christmas is in full swing as Daley gives readers a marvelous view into a long list of Christmas activities. Daley’s writing style and first-person narrative is filled with descriptive language and dialogue making this an entertaining page turner. Abby’s personal tragedy is not far from her memory, but her strength and new found friendships have made her life rewarding and maybe a hint of a new romance. No bonus recipes, though! With a cookie contest and Georgia known for her creative meals, I would have enjoyed a recipe or two from Georgia’s kitchen...just saying.
August 31, 2020
Note in the Nutcracker is the seventh book in Kathi Daley’s heartwarming series, The Inn at Holiday Bay. 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. 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 begun healing and has made a new life for herself, and found a home and a family. Georgia Carter and her dog, Ramos, live with Abby, Rufus, the Maine Coon, and Molly, a terrier mix, in a cottage located on the property. Jeremy Slater, who was recently hired to help Georgia with the day-to-day operations of the inn, has proven to be a valuable asset. He and his young niece, Annabelle, live in the inn’s basement apartment. Abby and Georgia, the inn’s talented cook and baker and manager, are looking forward to the arrival of their Christmas and New Year’s guests. Georgia has earned the honor of participating in a Christmas cookie contest that will be aired during the Christmas Eve edition of the popular show Coastal Maine Living and has been creating new cookie recipes and tweaking old ones to come up with the perfect one. Abby receives a surprise gift, a life-size nutcracker she admired in an antique shop, from her friends, Lonnie and Lacy Parker. Mylie Sanders, one of the holiday guests, who, on the advice of a psychic, is staying at the inn to find her soulmate, discovers a note in the nutcracker’s mouth. The note is a letter to Santa that was written by a young girl named Pamela over sixty years ago who wishes for time with her parents, doing things together over Christmas. Mylie wants to complete the list of activities and invites everyone to join her. Meanwhile, Lacy and Abby are intrigued by the note and decide to look into the nutcracker’s history with the hope of locating Pamela and end up finding a tragic story and a request for help that seems to be impossible.
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 begun healing and has made a new life for herself, and found a home and a family. Georgia Carter and her dog, Ramos, live with Abby, Rufus, the Maine Coon, and Molly, a terrier mix, in a cottage located on the property. Jeremy Slater, who was recently hired to help Georgia with the day-to-day operations of the inn, has proven to be a valuable asset. He and his young niece, Annabelle, live in the inn’s basement apartment. Abby and Georgia, the inn’s talented cook and baker and manager, are looking forward to the arrival of their Christmas and New Year’s guests. Georgia has earned the honor of participating in a Christmas cookie contest that will be aired during the Christmas Eve edition of the popular show Coastal Maine Living and has been creating new cookie recipes and tweaking old ones to come up with the perfect one. Abby receives a surprise gift, a life-size nutcracker she admired in an antique shop, from her friends, Lonnie and Lacy Parker. Mylie Sanders, one of the holiday guests, who, on the advice of a psychic, is staying at the inn to find her soulmate, discovers a note in the nutcracker’s mouth. The note is a letter to Santa that was written by a young girl named Pamela over sixty years ago who wishes for time with her parents, doing things together over Christmas. Mylie wants to complete the list of activities and invites everyone to join her. Meanwhile, Lacy and Abby are intrigued by the note and decide to look into the nutcracker’s history with the hope of locating Pamela and end up finding a tragic story and a request for help that seems to be impossible.
February 10, 2023
Inn at Holiday Bay, Maine. Present day. Kathi Daley’s Note in the Nutcracker (The Inn at Holiday Bay,
#7) did just what I hoped it would do. This delightful holiday read raised my holiday spirits considerably, and that is stating what I thought would be impossible this year. Thank you, Ms. Daley.
This series begins as Abby suffers a horrific tragedy, and because of this tragedy, Abby buys, sight un-
seen, a big ‘old seaside mansion’ in Maine which is a far cry from her home in San Francisco. Abby arrives in Holiday Bay, Me. not really caring what will happen, but Abby Sullivan finds is a new ‘home’ and a ‘new family’ with which to share her old mansion. In this holiday story Abby with the help of her new family has made her ‘old mansion’ into a traditional seaside inn. Every character including the core characters of the series has her/his story. This story has Christmas and its traditions jumping off almost every page. The guests staying at The Inn this Christmas bring their stories with them. Abby and her friends provide a ‘family Christmas’ for all. The central ‘character’ in this holiday story is a huge nutcracker which had belonged to one of the guests. This reader felt that she is part of this family Christmas. It is a grand feeling! 4.5 stars and my thanks to everyone!
#7) did just what I hoped it would do. This delightful holiday read raised my holiday spirits considerably, and that is stating what I thought would be impossible this year. Thank you, Ms. Daley.
This series begins as Abby suffers a horrific tragedy, and because of this tragedy, Abby buys, sight un-
seen, a big ‘old seaside mansion’ in Maine which is a far cry from her home in San Francisco. Abby arrives in Holiday Bay, Me. not really caring what will happen, but Abby Sullivan finds is a new ‘home’ and a ‘new family’ with which to share her old mansion. In this holiday story Abby with the help of her new family has made her ‘old mansion’ into a traditional seaside inn. Every character including the core characters of the series has her/his story. This story has Christmas and its traditions jumping off almost every page. The guests staying at The Inn this Christmas bring their stories with them. Abby and her friends provide a ‘family Christmas’ for all. The central ‘character’ in this holiday story is a huge nutcracker which had belonged to one of the guests. This reader felt that she is part of this family Christmas. It is a grand feeling! 4.5 stars and my thanks to everyone!
April 13, 2020
The Inn at Holiday Bay is all decked out for the Christmas festivities to be held at the Inn. Abagail Sullivan, the owner of the Inn, is trying to finish her next book in her thriller genre. Georgia, the Inn manager, is busy making cookies looking for the perfect cookie to bake when she takes part in a Christmas cookie contest that was to be aired on Coastal Maine Living. Annabelle, Jeremy's niece, is partaking in the Community Children's Pagent. Rooms are booked and one visitor is hoping to meet her soul mate. When a delivery van delivers a giant Nutcracker, that is a special gift from Lonnie and Lacy, the mystery begins.
Note in the Nutcracker will not just fill you with the holiday spirit but will also have you trying to determine who is the guilty party.
Note in the Nutcracker will not just fill you with the holiday spirit but will also have you trying to determine who is the guilty party.
August 31, 2020
Ottima storia ambientata nel periodo natalizio con un cold case un po' strappalacrime.
July 8, 2020
The way the author describes the sights, sounds, tastes etc leaves you feeling as if you are there experiencing it all. It's a warm cozy feeling. I love books like this! Abby had purchased an Inn a year prior and it was running smoothly and very successful. Her best friend and roommate Georgia worked in the kitchen there. During the Christmas holiday they are booked with guests staying from anywhere between seven to fourteen days. One of Abby's friends send her an old six ft tall nutcracker as a gift. She loves it and has it set up in front of huge windows. Upon inspection of the nutcracker they find a note in his mouth that was written by a child named Pamela. Being the nutcracker is over fifty years old they have no idea when the note was placed there. Was this the start of an even bigger mystery that must be solved in the spirit of Christmas? Finding the girl who wrote the note sends them on a spellbinding mystery of a murder that happened in 1969. Will they ever get justice for the victim and will Pamela finally get the answers she has been seeking after all these years? I suggest you read to find out. You will love this cozy holiday mystery as much as I did. This is one mystery you need to sink your teeth into. I highly recommend this read.
December 7, 2022
This was a fun read and though it was the seventh book of the series, it isn't difficult to follow as each has an independent story including some of the characters from the earlier books as well.
Set in an inn, it has the kind of story apt for the season. A note found in a Nutcracker gifted to the owner Abby, has a list of activities the young writer of the note wanted to do with her parents. Intrigued, Abby tries to find out more even as her guests decide that they will get together and do all the activities on the note in honour of the little girl who couldn't. This was really cool to read with lots of activities in the snow and delicious food, friends and camaraderie.
That a found family thread runs through the series is apparent from reading this one and I love that in books. I definitely want to read more of it.
Set in an inn, it has the kind of story apt for the season. A note found in a Nutcracker gifted to the owner Abby, has a list of activities the young writer of the note wanted to do with her parents. Intrigued, Abby tries to find out more even as her guests decide that they will get together and do all the activities on the note in honour of the little girl who couldn't. This was really cool to read with lots of activities in the snow and delicious food, friends and camaraderie.
That a found family thread runs through the series is apparent from reading this one and I love that in books. I definitely want to read more of it.
June 9, 2022
Kathi Daley as done it for me again!
I loved this winter setting (perfect if you want a winter book in June) and it felt very magical with all the actitivites planned for the guests of the Inn.
I enjoyed the mystery and how it was solved made sense, as well as who was the killer.
I loved this winter setting (perfect if you want a winter book in June) and it felt very magical with all the actitivites planned for the guests of the Inn.
I enjoyed the mystery and how it was solved made sense, as well as who was the killer.
December 15, 2020
I have to say I have been reading Kathi Daley's books like I eat potato chips. They are just so good. The cozy, small town feel is why I read cozy mysteries and...let's be honest...this year has been rough and we all need a little comfort. These are easy reads with endearing characters. One thing I especially like is that in the 4 series I have run through all have a mission to help rescue pets. Excellent series...all 4 of them.
March 16, 2023
Holiday at the Inn
This book was centered around the holidays and made this reader wishing she had been there. I enjoyed the fact too that there were no dead bodies found. However the mystery was woven around a cold case. Pretty good sleuthing for Abby.
This book was centered around the holidays and made this reader wishing she had been there. I enjoyed the fact too that there were no dead bodies found. However the mystery was woven around a cold case. Pretty good sleuthing for Abby.
December 2, 2019
Kindle Copy for Review
As the inn is in the process of celebrating the Christmas holidays as Abby and Georgina are kept busy. One guest finds a note written to Santa not asking for presents but time to spend with her parents. She even plans a list of things to with them together.
The guest decides to do all things on the list as she is there looking for Mr. Right. It is Christmas will she get her wish come true as she tackles a young girl wishes. Will Abby find who the little girl was and if she still alive?
A charming read in the spirit of the holidays.
As the inn is in the process of celebrating the Christmas holidays as Abby and Georgina are kept busy. One guest finds a note written to Santa not asking for presents but time to spend with her parents. She even plans a list of things to with them together.
The guest decides to do all things on the list as she is there looking for Mr. Right. It is Christmas will she get her wish come true as she tackles a young girl wishes. Will Abby find who the little girl was and if she still alive?
A charming read in the spirit of the holidays.
December 3, 2019
It is almost Christmas and the Inn at Holiday Bay is filled up with new and previous guests. Some friends gift Abby with a giant nutcracker and one of the guests finds a note inside, which sends Abby out looking for the author of the note. Abby and the gang at the inn give their guests a Christmas trip to remember. I really enjoyed this book. It really helped put me in the holiday spirit.
June 25, 2020
What a wonderful new book in a great series. The Note in the Nutcracker might be my new favorite in this series.
Abby receives an antique/vintage life-size nutcracker as a gift for the inn and finds a mystery within, as well as a new friend with a tragic past.
I loved this book and highly recommend it.
Abby receives an antique/vintage life-size nutcracker as a gift for the inn and finds a mystery within, as well as a new friend with a tragic past.
I loved this book and highly recommend it.
December 28, 2019
A great cozy
I love this series by Kathi Daley and I can't wait to see what happens next. I don't know how she writes so many series and characters that a cozy reader loves and wants to know them but she does. I love all her books and if you're like me and love a great cozy then this series is a must read.
I love this series by Kathi Daley and I can't wait to see what happens next. I don't know how she writes so many series and characters that a cozy reader loves and wants to know them but she does. I love all her books and if you're like me and love a great cozy then this series is a must read.
December 3, 2019
This is one of my favorite series. It is entertaining and I like the characters including Rufus the cat. I can't wait for the next book. It can't come soon enough.
December 23, 2019
Wow awesome read ! So many wonderful characters that were intriguing and fun to read. The storyline was so much fun to read that I didn't want to put it down till I was done.
March 6, 2025
You know what’s not on most people’s holiday bucket list? Finding a cryptic letter from decades past stuffed inside a nutcracker and getting sucked into a small-town mystery. But that’s exactly what happens in Note in the Nutcracker, because Abby Sullivan has an all-access pass to every curious coincidence in Holiday Bay. Running an inn apparently isn’t enough—she’s also a one-woman cold-case department, and when she stumbles across a child’s heart-wrenching note to Santa (spoiler: it’s not asking for a Red Ryder BB gun, but something far more emotional), she’s determined to uncover the truth behind it.
Enter Mylie, a guest who reads the letter and takes it as a personal mission to live out every Christmas wish it contains, Hallmark montage style. There’s snowman-building, sleigh rides, and enough festive clichés to fuel an entire Lifetime holiday lineup. Meanwhile, Georgia—the inn’s resident culinary genius—is deep in a cutthroat Christmas cookie competition, because nothing says holiday spirit like competitive baking. As Abby follows the breadcrumbs of the past, she uncovers long-buried family secrets, emotional twists, and just enough "why is no one calling the police?" moments to keep things interesting.
This is book #7 in The Inn at Holiday Bay series, but don’t worry—you can absolutely jump in here without reading the others. Each book follows a new mystery, so while you might miss a few inside jokes and character backstory, it’s still an easy (and festive) ride. With a blend of small-town charm, cozy mystery antics, and just the right amount of "Seriously? That’s the twist?" moments, this 4.5-star read delivers everything you want in a holiday whodunit. It’s like a warm cup of cocoa with a splash of intrigue—comforting, sweet, and likely to keep you up all night until you unravel every last secret.
Enter Mylie, a guest who reads the letter and takes it as a personal mission to live out every Christmas wish it contains, Hallmark montage style. There’s snowman-building, sleigh rides, and enough festive clichés to fuel an entire Lifetime holiday lineup. Meanwhile, Georgia—the inn’s resident culinary genius—is deep in a cutthroat Christmas cookie competition, because nothing says holiday spirit like competitive baking. As Abby follows the breadcrumbs of the past, she uncovers long-buried family secrets, emotional twists, and just enough "why is no one calling the police?" moments to keep things interesting.
This is book #7 in The Inn at Holiday Bay series, but don’t worry—you can absolutely jump in here without reading the others. Each book follows a new mystery, so while you might miss a few inside jokes and character backstory, it’s still an easy (and festive) ride. With a blend of small-town charm, cozy mystery antics, and just the right amount of "Seriously? That’s the twist?" moments, this 4.5-star read delivers everything you want in a holiday whodunit. It’s like a warm cup of cocoa with a splash of intrigue—comforting, sweet, and likely to keep you up all night until you unravel every last secret.
January 31, 2021
My Favorite Christmas Cozy
I have thoroughly enjoyed all of the books from The Inn at Holiday Bay series, but I have to admit that Note in the Nutcracker is my favorite. It is a true holiday read. With no murders to solve, the only real mystery was a note that was found in a life sized Nutcracker that Abby received as a gift. The note dated back decades, and was left for Santa Claus by a little girl named Pamela. They wondered if what Pamela asked of Santa actually came true, and they worked to trace the origin of the Nutcracker, Abby and the gang found out that it belonged to a family who lived in the next town over, and Pamela was still alive.
What was really awesome was how Georgia came up with the idea to make a memory board, and to include all of their guests to create as many memories as possible in hopes that they can fulfill the wishes of this young girl, and make her dreams come true. Not only did they find Pamela, but they pitched in to help with the one true wish that Pamela longed to male come true (no spoilers here).
It was sincerely a wonderful Christmas with Abby, Georgia and all of the Holiday Bay family that Abby has brought together since purchasing the inn, while adding new family every day.
I have thoroughly enjoyed all of the books from The Inn at Holiday Bay series, but I have to admit that Note in the Nutcracker is my favorite. It is a true holiday read. With no murders to solve, the only real mystery was a note that was found in a life sized Nutcracker that Abby received as a gift. The note dated back decades, and was left for Santa Claus by a little girl named Pamela. They wondered if what Pamela asked of Santa actually came true, and they worked to trace the origin of the Nutcracker, Abby and the gang found out that it belonged to a family who lived in the next town over, and Pamela was still alive.
What was really awesome was how Georgia came up with the idea to make a memory board, and to include all of their guests to create as many memories as possible in hopes that they can fulfill the wishes of this young girl, and make her dreams come true. Not only did they find Pamela, but they pitched in to help with the one true wish that Pamela longed to male come true (no spoilers here).
It was sincerely a wonderful Christmas with Abby, Georgia and all of the Holiday Bay family that Abby has brought together since purchasing the inn, while adding new family every day.
July 14, 2021
Christmas cold case..
... comes to light as Abby and Lacy search for some background on a six foot tall, antique nutcracker Lacy bought as a gift for Abby.
Mylie, one of the guests, finds a letter to Santa inside the nutcracker with a list of things that "Pamela" would like to do with her parents. Mylie decides to carry out as many of them as she can while she's staying at the Inn.
When Pamela is tracked down the reality of her Christmas that year is rather tragic as her mother was murdered on Christmas Eve and her father was convicted of the crime despite pleading his innocence.
Now aged 69, with an empty nest and widowed, Pamela wants to try and prove he's not guilty and clear his name and, of course, Abby's the person she asks.
Writing lacks the right sort of details to draw the reader in so it's a bit flat and the very unrealistic perfect lives where everything always works out idyllically a little boring and predictable.
... comes to light as Abby and Lacy search for some background on a six foot tall, antique nutcracker Lacy bought as a gift for Abby.
Mylie, one of the guests, finds a letter to Santa inside the nutcracker with a list of things that "Pamela" would like to do with her parents. Mylie decides to carry out as many of them as she can while she's staying at the Inn.
When Pamela is tracked down the reality of her Christmas that year is rather tragic as her mother was murdered on Christmas Eve and her father was convicted of the crime despite pleading his innocence.
Now aged 69, with an empty nest and widowed, Pamela wants to try and prove he's not guilty and clear his name and, of course, Abby's the person she asks.
Writing lacks the right sort of details to draw the reader in so it's a bit flat and the very unrealistic perfect lives where everything always works out idyllically a little boring and predictable.
February 25, 2022
Excellent book!!!!
I can't get enough of this series!!!!
When Abby received a special present from Lacy and Lonnie for Christmas she is thrilled.
The mystery began when a guest at the Inn found a note in the the nut crackers mouth.
Who wrote it and whom was it for?
Abby and Georgia started looking into it, they came to a dead end so Abby called in Colt to see if he could help and then she asked Velma since she knows everyone around Holiday Bay and even some surrounding areas.
Pieces to the puzzle get really complicated and there are a lot of people involved, to ask questions to.
At the same time Abby and Georgia have a full Inn of people to take care of, but it all gets done.
Now the note leads to a cold case of a child's parents and what happened.
Georgia is also trying out cookie recipes for a contest she is involved in.
Now you MUST read this to get the whole story and YOU WON'T BE DISAPPOINTED!!!!
I can't get enough of this series!!!!
When Abby received a special present from Lacy and Lonnie for Christmas she is thrilled.
The mystery began when a guest at the Inn found a note in the the nut crackers mouth.
Who wrote it and whom was it for?
Abby and Georgia started looking into it, they came to a dead end so Abby called in Colt to see if he could help and then she asked Velma since she knows everyone around Holiday Bay and even some surrounding areas.
Pieces to the puzzle get really complicated and there are a lot of people involved, to ask questions to.
At the same time Abby and Georgia have a full Inn of people to take care of, but it all gets done.
Now the note leads to a cold case of a child's parents and what happened.
Georgia is also trying out cookie recipes for a contest she is involved in.
Now you MUST read this to get the whole story and YOU WON'T BE DISAPPOINTED!!!!
September 23, 2020
I still love this series from Kathi Daley after I discovered it a week or so ago. I've read through seven books so far and I really like the progression of the characters and the storyline. It's sort of fun to "feel part of the family" and watch the inn go from being an abandoned mansion to a thriving inn with lots of interesting people. The author must plan on the series going on for quite some time as the relationships develop very slowly. And what happened to the older man, Jim, that Nikki was dating and everyone was worried about? There's been no further mention of him. Did he suddenly fall off the planet? LOL. I actually like reading about the characters' lives and seeing how they grow. These are just great little cozy mysteries and perfect for reading in an Adirondack chair in the perfect fall weather!
January 8, 2021
Abby and Georgia decide to be open for Christmas and have 3 bachelors and 1 single lady who is coming to find her true love. Then their friend comes and brings her daughter along to have a good time with her friends. Meanwhile Georgia is going to a baking contest and is trying out various cookies on the guests and co-workers. In the meantime, they locate a large Nutcracker to put in the Inn for Christmas. They locate a note which was in it and found put that it is letter to Santa from someone 50 years ago. They decide to see if they can locate the person who wrote the letter and in the meantime add the things she wanted to do for Christmas. Alot involve and this is a great book for Christmas.
August 6, 2021
Lonnie and Lacy give Abby a life-size nutcracker as a Christmas gift. Abby had admired it at an antique shop on one of their buying trips so Lacy snuck back inside to purchase it. Something about it's mouth seemed a bit off kilter. Attempts to straighten it out resulted in finding a note from a child to Santa tucked inside. The note provides a list of fun holiday activities for guests at the inn, and gives Abby and Lacy a mystery to solve. Georgia is taking part in a cookie baking contest. Every day she produces new and different cookies to sample. The inn is fully booked for Christmas into New Years' with guests who become like family as they build snowmen, go for sleigh rides and drink hot cocoa together. An enjoyable read that takes you to a warm, welcoming community.
April 14, 2025
A whole new group of guests check into the Inn each with their own reason for being there and their own story to tell. Once of the guests, a single woman named Miley, finds a long-forgotten letter to Santa in the mouth of the life-sized nutcracker Abby has recently purchased from a local antique store. Abby wonders what became of the child. While conducting research, she is also pulled into solving an unsolved mystery.
I enjoyed spending time with Abby and the secondary characters. The list of activities they decided to do to enjoy the holidays sounded like lots of fun. The mystery was rather sad and took away from the feeling of holiday joy for me. Other than that, it was a good story.
I enjoyed spending time with Abby and the secondary characters. The list of activities they decided to do to enjoy the holidays sounded like lots of fun. The mystery was rather sad and took away from the feeling of holiday joy for me. Other than that, it was a good story.
December 14, 2020
3.5 stars - 4 stars for the story, 3 stars for the writing.
This is a very holiday theme cozy mystery, which I loved. Lots of holiday decorations and traditions. It was very festive.
The mystery is unique - an old murder, the man found guilty long dead, the idea that some times not knowing might be better than knowing.
My main issue is the writing - it was in need of an editor, there were a few missing words, missing punctuation, wrong words, but also there was a lot of telling. I felt like Abby and Georgia were explaining stuff to us like we were idiots instead of showing us through the story. Not what I expect from this author and was disappointed.
This is a very holiday theme cozy mystery, which I loved. Lots of holiday decorations and traditions. It was very festive.
The mystery is unique - an old murder, the man found guilty long dead, the idea that some times not knowing might be better than knowing.
My main issue is the writing - it was in need of an editor, there were a few missing words, missing punctuation, wrong words, but also there was a lot of telling. I felt like Abby and Georgia were explaining stuff to us like we were idiots instead of showing us through the story. Not what I expect from this author and was disappointed.
October 25, 2020
Abby receives the gift of a giant nutcracker from her friend Lacy. A note is soon discovered written by a child who wants to spend Christmas with her parents. Abby is intrigued and tries to find the owner of the note which leads Abby into more of a story than she expected.
I love the characters in this series and enjoyed revisiting them along with new ones. The mystery, I semi guessed but it had an unexpected twist. I love that it is very easy to feel involved with the characters and their actions, you get the feeling of being there.
I will continue on with this series.
I love the characters in this series and enjoyed revisiting them along with new ones. The mystery, I semi guessed but it had an unexpected twist. I love that it is very easy to feel involved with the characters and their actions, you get the feeling of being there.
I will continue on with this series.
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