by Kathleen Costa
Details at the end of this post on how to enter to win either a print or kindle copy of Third Strike, and a link to purchase it from Amazon.
Jillian Hanford manages Turtle Cove Resort, a Writer’s Retreat on Gull Island, for her half brother, Garrett, who is recovering from a recent stroke. She and seven other authors of varying ages and literary notoriety collaborate closely to explore and resolve a variety of cold case mysteries that often involve suspicious deaths. Alex Cole, a millennial who at twenty-two made his first million writing science fiction, has brought the group together; he is eager to write a book about Trey Alderman, a local baseball hero, who at the dawn of his dreams coming true dies of a heart attack. It is known he attended a big party the night before his death, and the ME’s report indicated Trey had a dangerous mixture of drugs in his system that may have contributed to his having a heart attack. 
Eager to get on board with Alex’s investigation, the Mystery Mastermind group organizes known facts along with the list of witnesses to interview and suspects to interrogate. Even this early in the investigation, it seems many have motives to ‘mess’ with Trey and upset his plans to be drafted #1…but murder? As the investigation gets going, they find a young man whose tragic death is also marred by the burned bridges he left behind and several things that could ultimately derail his career. But, life doesn’t throw one ‘pitch’ at a time: Jillian is mulling over the decision to add a new resident at the resort, a true-crime writer who seems to be more keen to be on her own, and during the renovations of one of the cabins, a metal box is found, and when the lock is picked and the contents revealed, a new mystery unfolds.
Third Strike, the third book in Kathi Daley’s Writer’s Retreat series, is a home run! The story is an engaging page turner with Kathi’s signature clever twists that fans enjoy: Women scorned? Teammates’ jealousies? Promises broken? Hidden identities? Some twists and turns as the spotlight went from one suspect to the next, but the ending? Well, not as “Oh, my!” as other books from Kathi Daley. My inner Sherlock was challenged with this one, but the final reveal didn’t have the cringe effect I enjoy. Kathi starts with a clever gathering of the writers to set up the details of the cold case and background to the witnesses and suspects, getting fans and newbies all up to speed.
The group doesn’t just list a bunch of facts and information, Kathi adds realism with the writing sleuths interacting, interrupting, and including their own opinions no matter who has taken the lead. Blackbeard the parrot, a favorite character, squawks his ‘two cents’ into the investigation, and Clara’s intuitive, if not clairvoyant, abilities lead to important insights for Jillian and Jack to follow up on. The setting of Gull Island, the small town nuances, renovations at the Turtle Cove resort, Jillian’s half brother’s recovery, and some budding relationships along with a bit of romance between “Jack and Jill” play out in the background. This has quickly become a Top Ten favorite series of all time.
Third Strike: A Writer’s Retreat earns 5/5 Walk-off Home Runs!
Fourth Victim: A Writer’s Retreat Mystery launches on October 23, 2017!
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To enter to win either a print or kindle copy of Third Strike, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line “strike,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen September 16, 2017. U.S. residents only for the print copy. If entering via email please include your mailing address, and if via comment please include your email address. PLEASE STATE IN ENTRY WHETHER YOU WANT PRINT OR KINDLE.
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Disclosure: This post contains links to an affiliate program, for which we receive a few cents if you make purchases. KRL also receives free copies of most of the books that it reviews, that are provided in exchange for an honest review of the book.
I have the first two in this series but haven’t had a chance to read them as yet. But I do love Kathi’s books and know that I will love this new series, too. Third Strike is at the top of my wish list.
Kindle please Third strike
Looking forward to reading this book.
I would like a print copy, please
Please post winners on Facebook.
Usually I’m too swamped with too many contests to get around to doing that sorry. Kathi may post them on hers once I give them to her I’m not sure. But I always let the winner know.
I really enjoyed the first book. Thanks for a chance to win this one.
Love this author. Looking forward to reading this book. Thanks.
I love Kathi’s books!
Would love!
I would love to read and post reviews on goodreads and amazon! ptclayton2@aol.com I just love Kathi’s books
I love this series and hope it goes on for many, many more books!!!
Kathy writes great books. Thanks for the chance.
kckendler at gmail dot com
print please.
I want to read this book! Thank you for the chance.it sounds like so much fun!
Love all Kathi’s series. Print please
Oneponychick66@hotmail.com
I’d love to win a print copy of this book. I’m a huge Kathi Daley fan!
A good old fashioned who-dun-it!!
This looks like an interesting story and one I’d like to add to my growing home library (2 rooms each with one wall to wall floor to ceiling set of bookcases).
Yes I prefer Dead Tree Versions of books.
I would prefer a print copy. The plot is fascinating.
My goodness, I can barely keep up with Kathi Daley. It seems like she releases a book every week! Great for us readers, thanks for the chance to win a copy of Third Strike. crs(at)codedivasites(dot)com
I’d prefer a print copy if I win. Thanks again.
Would be so happy to read this! (Kindle) Kathi is a great writer with realistic dialog and mysteries. Looking forward to really getting into this new series, sounds wonderful!
I am looking forward to reading this book?
Would love to read this book.
Would love to read this book??
Wow! This sounds great! Print please
This is a new to me series but I would love to read this newest installment. Thanks for the opportunity to win. If I were the lucky winner, I would prefer a print copy.
I have the first two books. My husband has read them but he has more time than I do to read so I am going to have to catch up. Thank you for the opportunity to win an e-book copy of Third Strike.
Love Kathi’s books. I haven’t read this series yet, would enjoy reading.
diannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com
Great series. Thanks for the chance to win.
We have a winner!