Books On Board

The Inn at Holiday Bay Books in Order

  • 31 Books
  • 2018 – 2022 Published

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Where to Start Reading The Inn at Holiday Bay

For readers looking to dive into Kathi Daley’s cozy mystery universe, the absolute best starting point is the first book in the core series: Boxes in the Basement (2018). This novel introduces Abby Sullivan, a grieving writer who has experienced immense personal loss. In search of healing, she purchases a historic, dilapidated mansion in the coastal town of Holiday Bay, Maine, sight unseen. As she begins the monumental task of restoring the property into a welcoming inn, she discovers old boxes hidden in the basement that contain clues to a local girl’s cold-case murder. This initial mystery sets her on a path of amateur sleuthing, community building, and personal renewal.

While each book in the series presents a standalone mystery that is resolved by the final page, the character dynamics, romantic subplots, and overall town continuity develop chronologically. Reading out of order will spoil major milestones in Abby’s life, the evolution of her relationship with locals like Georgia, and the addition of beloved pets such as Rufus, her giant Maine Coon cat.

The Inn at Holiday Bay Core Series Publication Order

The core series follows Abby Sullivan’s adventures in Holiday Bay. Kathi Daley has maintained a prolific writing schedule since launching the series in late 2018, releasing multiple books each year to capture seasonal changes, holidays, and community events in Maine. Here is the chronological publication order of the primary series:

  1. Boxes in the Basement (2018)
  2. Letters in the Library (2019)
  3. Message in the Mantel (2019)
  4. Answers in the Attic (2019)
  5. Haunting in the Hallway (2019)
  6. Pilgrim in the Parlor (2019)
  7. Note in the Nutcracker (2019)
  8. Blizzard in the Bay (2020)
  9. Proof in the Photo (2020)
  10. Gossip in the Garden (2020)
  11. Ghost in the Gallery (2020)
  12. Turkey in the Trap Room (2020)
  13. Cookies in the Cottage (2020)
  14. Details in the Document (2021)
  15. Clue in the Clam (2021)
  16. Portent in the Pages (2021)
  17. Poison in the Pudding (2021)
  18. Lantern in the Lighthouse (2022)
  19. Hint in the Hashtag (2022)
  20. Pawn in the Pumpkin Patch (2022)
  21. Secret in the Santa (2022)
  22. Riddle in the Review (2023)
  23. Clue in the Carriage House (2023)
  24. Witness in the Wedding (2023)
  25. Christmas in the Candlelight (2023)
  26. Secret in the Storm (2024)
  27. Clue in the Cottage (2024)
  28. Message in the Manuscript (2024)
  29. Trouble in the Theatre (2024)
  30. Evidence in the Espresso (2024)
  31. Christmas in the Country (2024)
  32. V in the Valentine (2025)
  33. Kidnapped in the Kitchen (2025)
  34. Answers in the Ashes (2025)
  35. Wallflowers in the Window (2025)
  36. Trouble in the Turkey Truck (2025)
  37. Trickery in Toyland (2025)
  38. Promise in the Proposal (2026)
  39. Detour in Destiny (2026)
  40. Answer in the Alibi (2026)

Understanding the Holiday Bay Universe: Spinoffs & Crossovers

As the core series grew in popularity, Kathi Daley expanded the setting into a shared universe. She divides her spin-off series into two distinct categories: Point of View (POV) Spinoffs and Parallel Spinoffs. Understanding how these series interact is key to navigating the town’s evolving community without running into character spoilers.

Point of View (POV) Spinoffs

POV spinoffs are set directly within Holiday Bay. The main characters of these books live in the same town as Abby, visit the same local establishments, and interact regularly with the core cast of the main series. The events and personal developments in these spin-offs occur simultaneously with the main books. The author recommends reading these series in order alongside the main series to prevent spoilers regarding relationship progression and town events. The POV spinoff series include:

  • The Bistro at Holiday Bay: This series follows Shelby Morris as she runs the local dining hotspot. It features titles such as Opera and Old Lace, Moonlight and Broomsticks, Cupid and Cool Jazz, and Sunshine and Sweet Wine.
  • The Bookstore at Holiday Bay: Centered on Lou Prescott and her bookstore, beginning with Once Upon a Mystery.
  • The Bakeshop at Holiday Bay: Following the life and baking adventures of Piper Fairchild in the local bakery.

Parallel Spinoffs

Parallel spinoffs feature characters who are introduced in Holiday Bay but eventually relocate to new settings. While these characters are occasionally mentioned or make brief guest appearances back in Holiday Bay, their main storylines do not overlap significantly with Abby’s daily life. You can read these series independently from the main sequence. These series include:

  • Cottage on Gooseberry Bay: Following Ainsley Holloway.
  • Resort at Castaway Bay: Following Sydney Whitmore.
  • Rescue at Gooseberry Bay: Following Bexley Cosgrove.

What to Know Before You Start

Kathi Daley’s books are classic cozy mysteries, meaning they emphasize atmosphere, community bonds, and satisfying puzzle-solving over graphic violence. Holiday Bay itself acts as a central character, changing with the seasons—from snowy Maine winters to sunny summer clambakes. In addition to the mysteries, the series has a strong emotional core focusing on Abby's recovery from grief, her emerging romance, and her deep friendships with quirky town residents. If you plan to read the spin-offs, checking the publication timeline on the author's official site will help you align the crossover events perfectly.

Frequently Asked

What is the best book to start with in The Inn at Holiday Bay series?

You should start with the very first book, Boxes in the Basement (2018), to understand Abby Sullivan's arrival in Maine and the backstory of the inn.

Can the books in The Inn at Holiday Bay be read as standalones?

While the individual mystery in each book is resolved, the overall character relationships and life events develop chronologically. It is highly recommended to read them in order to avoid major spoilers.

How do the POV spin-offs fit into the main series?

Series like The Bistro, The Bookstore, and The Bakeshop take place in Holiday Bay at the same time as the main series. Because characters overlap and spoil each other's story arcs, they should be read in publication order alongside the core books.

Who is the main protagonist of the core series?

The main protagonist is Abby Sullivan, a mystery writer who moves from Alaska to Maine to heal from a family tragedy and restore an old inn.

What are the parallel spin-offs in the Holiday Bay universe?

The parallel spin-offs are Cottage on Gooseberry Bay, Resort at Castaway Bay, and Rescue at Gooseberry Bay. They follow characters who move away from Holiday Bay and can be read independently.