Answers in the Attic

The Inn at Holiday Bay #4

by Kathi Daley

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 4 in the series, the remodel is almost complete and Abby and Georgia are planning a huge grand opening. The only thing left for Abby to do before Lonnie can wrap things up is to go through the items left in the attic by prior residents. Abby is just about to get started when a woman named Trinity Roswell shows up claiming to be the great, great, great, niece of Abagail Chesterton, the wife of the man who built the house, Chamberlain Westminster. Trinity, a woman in her thirties, is doing a family history and has questions about Abagail. Abby only knows what she has been told by others but invites the woman to help her dig through the contents in the attic. They figure that if Abagail did leave anything behind then the attic is where it would be stored.

While Abby and Trinity seek out the last of the secrets the house once held, Colt is busy remodeling his own new home, Tanner has a new litter of puppies, Nikki is dating a man Georgia doesn't like and doesn't trust, and Annie notifies Abby about a death in the family.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Cozy, Romance, Adult, Animals

148 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 18, 2019

About the author

Kathi 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).

Reviews

[Lorraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Holiday Bay, Maine. Present day. Kathi Daley’s Answers in the Attic (The Inn at Holiday Bay, #4) finds Abby and Georgia finally in the attic to clean it out so the final suite can be started. A ‘soft’ opening has been planned for mid-July. Abby is amazed that this mansion she bought in Maine, site unseen, is about to open as a newly remodeled (inside) and newly redecorated (inside and out) inn. As Abby and Georgia begin to straighten out the attic, a woman, Trinity Roswell, arrives stating that she is a great, great, great niece of Abagail Chesterton, and she is attempting to do a family tree. Abby asks Trinity to come and look in the attic. Does Trinity find anything of Abagail’s? Trinity asks Abby and Georgia to see the Chesterton cemetery which fascinates both women especially the tombstone near Elizabeth Chesterton’s grave with only the name Emily - no last name, no dates. What is the story about Emily and Elizabeth? Colt is busy remodeling the house he bought so his niece and nephew will be comfortable when they visit even though when he first saw the house he found the body of an elderly member of Holiday Bay, but that is not the end of that story! Abby’s new friends in Holiday Bay are busy with their own lives, but everyone is extremely excited about the opening of the old Chesterton mansion as the new Inn at Holiday Bay. This reader is as well! Fun cozy mystery! 4 stars.

[JoAn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Answers in the Attic by Kathi Daley was another sweet cozy mystery that included two mysteries that needed to be resolved. Colt is working on a mysterious death around a skeleton found in a nearby town and Abby is helping a family member of the Chesterton family try to get information regarding a mysterious grave in the family graveyard. All of these characters are likable and have become almost friends to me as I read this series. I'm already looking forward to the next book in this series.

[Lynne Moody · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love when there is 2 mysteries in one. This time around there's family mystery to help solve. While a murder needs to also. Love all the twist and turns on both cases. The characters were well written and keep me reading to the end.

[Meg · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick, easy read with a compelling mystery.

[Sandy Bartles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Time moves pretty fast, with a lot of things happening in this book, up to and including the completion of the inn. I loved the ending and can’t wait to see where the author takes the next book in the series.

[Judy Ely · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Inn at Holiday Bay Answers in the Attic

This is a wonderful series,you begin to feel like you are family. There is always a mystery around every corner.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, as I do the whole series.
The remodel on the mansion is complete, Abby and Georgia are preparing for the grand opening. They meet a woman who gives them a little more information on the family who built the house and in doing so they uncover some answers in the attic for her. Add the mystery of a woman who was seen being murdered but was she? This book keeps a nice pace going with all that is going on.
I will continue on with this series, I love these characters.

[Robin Leslie Coxon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kathi Daley has many series in her stash of writing but this draws me to it more with each new book written. Each book in the series focuses on the refurnishing of an old mansion and the original owner. As items are found during the procedure it provides an additional link into the completion of the mansion into a bed and breakfast. In this book we are taken to the attic to sort through the mementos left up there. A developing ancestral tree by a distant relative of Abagail Chesterton, the wife of Chamberlain Westerminister, the person who built the mansion is included in this book. The continued yearning of Trish to get her sister to reconnect their relationship plays into the final opening of the Inn at Holiday Bay Bed and Breakfast. The characters are likable and you might find yourself drawn to wanting to be a friend. Since the Inn has been completed I am anticipating what direction will Kathi Daley take us in the next book..

[Mr Francy Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

THE INN IS NOW OPEN AND THAT'S WHAT I NEEDED!

SERIES PREMISE: In this series we follow Abby Sullivan who is looking to open an Inn in Holiday Bay, Maine.
IN THIS BOOK: Along-side her employee and best friend Georgia, her cat Rufus and Georgia's dog Ramos (AND a new furry edition in this book!) Abby sets about dealing with the last thing she needs to get renovated before the opening...the attic. But when a stranger arrives on the door step claiming to be a descendant of the former owners of the property what other answers will be uncovered?

THOUGHTS: Ok so my thought is with the end of this book. I honestly don't call this a spoiler so if you do I apologize, but the Inn finally opens at the end of this book. I say finally, because, it has taken 4 books to open! I came into this series for the Inn, so I am so happy the Inn is now finally open and am looking forward to seeing what happens from book 5 on. I really appreciated the new furry edition to the family and still have a big heart for Georgia. Didn't care for the mystery, although this series seems to have the mystery be a background thing, more than a foreground one. All in all a good book and I can not wait for book 5!!!!

4 Stars!
xoxo.

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Follow Your Heart

If we have not suffered a tremendous loss of a spouse or child, then we cannot begin to know the pain that Abby Sullivan has had to endure. She had lost everything in one split second, but she is a brave woman, who knows she needs to find a way to heal! We all grieve in different ways, and our own friends and family may nit under, but we have to do what's right for ourselves. Abby didn't know for sure what her abrupt move to Maine would bring, but she took the chance, and what Kathi Daley has given us is not only a Cozy Mystery, but a way to show us that following our heart is the right thing to do.
With the grand opening of The Inn At Holiday Bay, Abby has not only seen her dream come to life, but found love and friendship through her journey. Isn't that what we all want out of life? Let's take a look at what Abby feels, "I considered what I had created. Not just a romantic and enchanting inn that I was sure was going to bring many lovely people into my life, but a family who meant more to me than I could say. I’d never really had a best friend. Not in the way Georgia was my best friend now. And Lonnie and Lacy were about as special to me as any friends had ever been. Nikki and Tanner were the best neighbors anyone could ever ask for, and Velma was almost like a mother to me. And Colt…well, I wasn’t sure where Colt fit into things, but I did know he fit into my future somehow. Yet with all I had and everything I anticipated for the future, there was still a corner of my heart that could only be filled by one person." That void in her heart has begun to heal with the hug of her sister, Annie, who after so much time, has come to support Abby! All she needed was an embrace!

The mystery of the Inn continues with the finding of boxes left behind in the attic. Abby abd Georgia begin to uncover the history of the inn, and it's former owners. Through these treasures, Abby learns so much about the past guests. This such an amazing series, and I recommend it to all of those who love a great cozy, and stories of having faith in yourself.


Takes place in Holiday Bay, Maine.

[Jane Firebaugh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Answers in the Attic is the fourth wonderful mystery in Kathi Daley's new series, The Inn at Holiday Bay.
When a woman shows up at the inn looking to see if Abby and her best friend, Georgia, have come across anything that might help her in her search for information about ancestors who had lived in the inn long ago, they find themselves intrigued by the search and eager to solve the mystery of the lone name "Emily" on a tombstone in the family graveyard.
Besides that little mystery, Abby's cop friend, Colt, has a new/old case involving a murder from the past, and Abby and Georgia are working like mad to try to have everything ready for the grand opening of the inn, so there is a lot going on in this latest installment.
I enjoyed it thoroughly, and I highly recommend Answers in the Attic to cozy mystery fans.

[RO G'ma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Answers in the Attic is the fourth book in Kathi Daley’s The Inn at Holiday Bay series. The setting is charming, and the well-developed characters are affable and caring. The writing style flows smoothly, and the book is a clean and easy read. The well-plotted storyline and interesting mysteries keep the reader engaged in this steadily paced book.

Abby Sullivan’s life changed dramatically when she lost her husband and their infant son in a tragic accident, but she’s adjusting well to her new life in Holiday Bay, Maine. Georgia Carter is a talented cook and baker, who’s also recovering from traumatic events in her life. Georgia and her dog, Ramos, are living with Abby and Rufus, the Maine Coon cat who adopted her, in a cottage located on the property. Abby plans to open an inn and the mansion she purchased is in the final stage of renovation. Abby and Georgia will soon be welcoming guests, but before that can happen, they need to go through an attic full of furniture, boxes, and miscellaneous items so Lonnie Parker, her contractor, and his crew can turn the attic into a sixth guest suite. Abby is determined to stop procrastinating and tackle the attic but is sidetracked when Trish Roswell shows up at her door looking for information about Abagail Chesterton, the wife of Chamberlain Westminster, the man who built the mansion in 1895. While looking into her ancestry for a family memoir she plans on writing, Trish discovered that Abagail was her great-great-great-aunt. Abby agrees to look for anything pertaining to Abagail as she goes through the attic. Lonnie knew where Abagail was buried, and after accompanying Trish to the old Chesterton family cemetery, Georgia and Abby find themselves caught up in Trish’s search for information about her ancestors. Abby and Georgia are thrilled when they find dozens of Chamberlain Westminster’s sketches in one of the trunks in the attic. Meanwhile, Abby helps her friend, Police Chief Colt Wilder, look into a murder case he recently reopened. Abby’s still trying to reconnect and mend fences with her sister, Annie.

[Mystereity Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this! Along with the charming Maine setting and the wonderful characters, there's always more than one mystery in each book, so the plot was rich and exciting with many twists. With the inn nearing its grand opening, only the attic is left to tackle. When a stranger shows up looking for information about her ancestors, the attic reveals many treasures. As someone who has been working on my own family tree, I could easily identify with the excitement and satisfaction of solving those little family tree mysteries.

But the central mystery of a neighbor seeing a murder but no evidence found at the scene was the real star of the book, both riveting and unexpected. I loved watching it unfold with lots of surprises along the way.

Can't wait for the next one!

[Judy Tolley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clearing the attic

This book was an easy flow of events preparing the inn for guests. Probably more details than necessary in some places, but overall a good read. Friendships are formed. A murder is solved. A new pet is rescued. And sisters are reunited. Easy peasy.

[Patrizia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sto seguendo quattro serie di questa autrice, tutte molto belle, ma questa è la mia favorita, sia per il cast di personaggi che per l'ambientazione. Non che le altre siano molto inferiori...

[C. · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was so exasperating to read,that I'm not planning to read any more in the series!

It was so hard to follow, and the constant twists and turns caused MAJOR-EYE-ROLLING!

No answers here, and it just became so boring that I gave up at around 50%!

[KAY E MONK · Rating 5 out of 5]

Answers in the Attic is the fourth book in the exciting The Inn at Holiday Bay cozy mystery series. This book is filled with elements of a cozy mystery including suspense, romance, humor, love, friends and family, and a sense of community. The story takes place in the charming tourist town of Holiday Bay, Maine.

The main character is Abby Sullivan, a writer from San Francisco who, after suffering a devastating personal tragedy, sold her condo, packed up all her belongings, bought a huge old house she had never seen in a town she had never been to, and moved to Holiday Bay. Spring has sprung, renovations in the old mansion are progressing, and plans are being made for the grand opening of the inn. As Abby cleans out the attic and works with her new friends, including the local police chief, Colt Wilder, she hopes to find answers to the many questions they encounter in three or four different mysterious circumstances.

I love that this community comes together to celebrate holidays - Easter and the 4th of July in this book. I love the way Ms. Daley writes in a continuing saga fashion with hints and clues to stories in the future (and red herrings). I love that not all questions are resolved in each book. I enjoy the character development and the introduction of new characters. Along with the suspense, there were moments that made me laugh, and moments that made me teary-eyed. As always, this author’s writing flows smoothly, and her setting and relatable characters make for an extremely enjoyable and quick read. I really look forward to reading the next book in this series.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Answers in The Attic : The End At The Holiday Bay- Book #4 )
By: Kathi Daley
Answers in The Attic in book four in ,The End At The Holiday Bay series. This series has become one of my favorite. Watching Abby pull out of her loss and start over with An Inn At Holiday Bay. Georgia is helping Abby with the renovation The Inn. As always the author draws me in at the start and I am hooked. I did not want to put it down. The story flows smoothly and is a good clean cozy mystery. This is a fast read with mysteries to be solved. Can they get them solved? The attic is ready to be cleaned out. Do they find anything worth keeping or knowing about? There are a few mysteries to be solved in this story. I kept turning the pages to see what was going to happen next. The author will keep you guessing till the end.

[Barbara Baglee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Flat

I found it real!I difficult to connect with both of the mysteries in this book. The modern day one seemed to come from no where. I am sure I would have remembered the body of a woman in a pink night gown, rolled in a carpet! The high point was of course the opening of the Inn. I do hope the next book gets back on track.

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Answers in the Attic" earns 5/5 Family Trees...Engaging and Entertaining!

Abby and Georgia are delightful distracted from their plan to tackle cleaning out the attic by Trish Roswell who is extremely keen on researching her family's ancestry. Her great- great- grandmother was sister to Abagail Westminster, the woman for whom Abby's house was built. Finding Abagail's family home and their family cemetery provides a few mysteries and whets everyone's appetite to discover "answers." However, it's "answers" to the identity of the remains found in a shallow grave that is the most compelling. The victim's wounds are similar to an incident from three years back; a neighbor had at the time reported having seen a murder, a husband killing his wife, but no evidence, no body, seemingly solid alibis, and the victim just video-chatted with the investigating officer. So, who is this?

Sounds like an Alfred Hitchcock film! Love it! This fourth book focuses on the theme of "family" from ancestral revelations to contemporary disfunction, from new Maine family/friends to a reunion with blood relations. Kathi Daley uses a first-person narrative from Abby's perspective entwining much of the everyday life in Holiday Bay with endearing friendships, budding and rekindled romances, holiday festivities, and the grand opening plans, but it's the investigations, mysteries, and a cold case that fascinated me the most. However, the ancestral research and the cold case mystery seem to take place more off the page and revealed only through informal and formal conversations rather than Abby's direct efforts. The final reveal did "answer" the main mysteries with clever details and issuing some justice. The writing is well-paced with vivid description and entertaining dialogue, and as is Kathi's style...lots of "fur" friends. Well worth reading, but newbies should consider starting from the beginning to enjoy the whole journey.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 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!

[Taryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Abby is looking forward to getting her Inn finished, she has to clean out the attic so her contractor can finish up the rooms there. The grand opening is soon approaching and she couldn't be happier. One morning there is a knock at her door, she finds a woman there who says her name is Trinity and she is looking into her family background. She is related to the wife of the man who built Abby's Inn. Abby is happy to help Trinity in anyway that she can. She hopes that while cleaning out the attic they will find some treasures that will be useful to Trinity in her quest for knowledge of her family. Meanwhile Colt is working on a case of his own. It was a cold case, a woman saw her neighbor get killed but when the police arrived at the home no one was there. They contacted the husband who was out of town and he had no clue to what they were talking bout and gave them the phone number for his wife. When she was contacted they face timed and she was very much alive. Several years having passed a body has been found and it is the woman that the neighbor saw get murdered. With everything that is going on with the remodel, the upcoming grand opening, and her new friend Trinity will Abby have time to help Colt with his new case? Follow along as she does her best to juggle all that is going on and turns to her friends for help. This was a great read with an interesting murder mystery that had me wondering what really happened.

[Helen Drake · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining Series

I really enjoy this series. I’m happy the Inn has is finally ready and the grand opening has arrived. There are two mysteries in this one. One involves a mysterious person who is buried in the family cemetery for the original owner of the Inn. The other involves a person who disappeared from town a few years ago who’s body has just been found, and the solving of the murder. Since those involved in the murder do not live in the area, the FBI is brought in to find those suspects. Colt does some local investigating with help from Abby. The reason I give this book a 4 rather than a 5 is that we do not meet the murder suspects themselves.

The further development of the main and secondary characters is progressing in a satisfying manner yet there is room for continued growth as the series continues. It is these characters that are the most enjoyable element of this series.

[JoAnne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 4th book in the Inn at Holiday Bay series - it can definitely be read as a stand alone but is so much more interesting if you read the whole series as you will totally come to love the characters and want to follow along with their life stories. As all the books in this series, you will find several mysteries to solve - all of them intriguing as the author leads you through the story dropping clues and hints along the way while also giving you a glimpse of the characters and their own stories - ones that I have come to love becoming totally immersed in and love finding more about how their lives are evolving. All in all an awesome story that I highly recommend to anyone who loves mysteries, small towns, and romance.

[Darla Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Abby and Georgia are preparing for their upcoming grand opening of the inn. The remodel is almost complete and things are going well. Before the attic room can be completed though, Abby and Georgia have to clean it out. There are some special things to be found and they're hoping to find some answers to help a woman complete her family tree. Abby participates in more community events with Georgia so she can get to know the townspeople and helps Colt solve a murder mystery that is a few years old.

The fourth story in the series, "Answers in the Attic" is a great read as we get to know the characters better. It pulls you in and keeps you entranced. I highly recommend this series and I'm looking forward to the next book.

[Janet · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very light and quick read. The characters are consistent for the most part through the series and you'll see some minor changes but not tons of development. There are 2 mysteries for the team to discuss. The team doesn't really solve the mysteries (unlike other cozy series) they discuss and provide ideas. The police actually do the investigations and solutions (shocking) and there are usually people in the town that have plenty of history, either personally or through their family, that assist with historical information. The Inn has it's "soft opening" for the Holiday Bay Friends and Family groups. The actual opening should take place in the next book. Very little romance in this series (so far) in case that is a deciding factor for you to choose a book.

[Marissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kindle Copy for Review

As the renovations are coming to completion and opening draws near, Abby has to still clean out the attic which still have boxes from previous residents. A long lost relative of the builder’s wife shows up researching her family history and she is curious about her great, great, great aunt as she ask Abby about her. Not knowing much other than what the locals told her she decide to go through the boxes with the woman.

She will have to deal with another death in the family which her estranged sister notifies her. In the meantime, the rest of the gang has their own worries to deal with while she unravels the mysteries of the inn. A fast paced read.

[Sherrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Abbey and Georgia decide to tackle the attic this time and find it completely filled with furniture alone with boxes and memorable, pictures, cards, etc. Trinity shows up as and wants to know about the home and if they new anything of the previous owners since she is a distant relatives and wants to find out about her past. Abbey and Georgia go ahead and have a big event at their retreat to start off the summer and finally Abbey's sister comes to visit. Abbey and Georgia do find some lost illustrations that the owner had created and decide to put those up around the home. Things as usual fall apart before the big event but it does get put back together in time.

[Bobbi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is full of life and friendship. Take one tragic and lonely woman mix in a lot of new friends, a new town, and a dream of owning an Inn and you have a terrific story that will keep you entranced. This particular story, Answers in the Attic, centers around treasures of the past stored in the attic of the Inn. Genealogy is currently being pursued by many to find out about their past relatives. Finding out about past generations is a hunt for clues and Kathi Daley weaves her magic throughout the story to answer many questions. Take a chance and try this series, it is delightful and you will fall in love with the characters and the town of Holiday Bay.

[Claudia Cheyne · Rating 4 out of 5]

The clock is quickly ticking down the hours until Abby and Georgia's grand opening of the Inn at Holiday Bay. First the community celebrates Easter with a big parade and egg hunt. Next they celebrate 4th of July with a whole weekend packed with events. In the meantime, Abby and Colt brainstorm to solve a murder which had been witnessed three years ago, but whose victim had never been found until now. Abby realizes how far she has traveled from the young woman overcome with grief eight months before when she purchased the old mansion and made the long journey from San Francisco to Maine. She has many close friends and acquaintances in the town she now calls home.