Message in the Mantel (Inn at Holiday Bay, #3)

by Kathi Daley

[Mystereity Reviews]

One of the things I love about this series is how effortlessly you can slide right back into the series I read the first 3 books earlier this year, and I enjoyed feeling like I was right back in Holiday Bay with all the goings on.

I also like how effortlessly the books juggle several story lines into one book without feeling cluttered or confusing. In this book we have the search for the provenance of the fireplace mantel and the items found within, solving the death of an elderly man found dead in his home, and something shady concerning Ben's past, all woven neatly into an intriguing and captivating story that kept me turning pages. I especially liked the mantel mystery, as I love history but I wish the book delved a little deeper into it. They seemed to take any information they received at face value.

I have to say, the ending felt a bit rushed and it was never said why the neighbor was going into the house to smoke his cigars, apparently even after the old guy died. Why? Actually, th e whole mystery of the old dead dude left me scratching my head.