New Beginnings

Zimmerman Academy #2

by Kathi Daley

Zimmerman Academy is a spinoff of the popular Zoe Donovan Series. Each novella is told from the perspective of one of the minor characters. Book 2 in the series - New Beginnings - is told from the perspective of Zimmerman Academy principal Phyllis King. This particular edition has two parts. In the first part of the book I have reprinted all of the Zimmerman Academy Shorts as narrated by Phyllis which were included in the Zoe Donovan Books: Hopscotch Homicide, Ghostly Graveyard, and Santa Sleuth.

Part two of the book is a new short story titled The Birthday Mystery. This story takes place on Phyllis's sixty-third birthday. She is planning a quiet evening at home, much like the sort of evening she has spent on her previous birthdays, when Hazel Hampton (the town librarian), Ethan Carlton (Zimmerman Academy History Professor), and Luke Donovan (Zoe's grandpa and Hazel's boyfriend) pull her into a birthday mystery.

Note: This book is longer than most of the shorts in this series due to the reprint of the chapters from the Zoe Donovan Books, and is not an indication of the length of these novellas going into the future.

Genres: Cozy Mystery

100 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 29, 2016

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

[RO G'ma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zimmerman Academy: New Beginnings is the second installment in Kathi Daley’s Zimmerman Academy Shorts series, which is a spinoff of the Zoe Donovan series. It’s a quick, easy, and fun read. The characters are well developed and the story well written. I’m looking forward to reading more novellas in this series.

This novella is written from Phyllis King’s perspective and it includes segments from previously published books to help provide the reader with an understanding of Phyllis. The new segment of this book takes place on Phyllis’s 63rd birthday. Phyllis previously opened her home to three Zimmerman Academy students, Brooklyn Banks, Pepper Pepperton, and Eve Lambert, and she’s looking forward to having a birthday dinner with the three girls who have become her family. She’s quite disappointed when she discovers the girls have other plans but resigns herself to spending the evening with her cat, Charlotte. While attending an orientation for a senior fitness group, Phyllis’ friends, Hazel Hampton, Luke Donovan, and Ethan Carlton, pull her into a mystery revolving around a manuscript written in 1956 and trying to discover whom the unknown author is.

[Star ☔️ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like how this novella was told from Phyllis's perspective. We really got in her head and got to know her. Feels like you are reading her diary. This is a nice companion book to the Zoe Donovan Mysteries.

[Bonnie Dale Keck · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kindle Unlimited liked it but didn't love it hence 4 stars. Wasn't anything stupid such as typos or anything like that, just didn't love this.

Halloween Hijinks Anniversary Edition (Zoe Donovan Mystery Book 1) * - The Trouble with Turkeys (Zoe Donovan Mystery Book 2) * - Christmas Crazy (Zoe Donovan Mystery Book 3) * - Cupids Curse (Zoe Donovan Mystery Book 4) - Big Bunny Bump Off (Zoe Donovan Mystery Book 5) * - Beach Blanket Barbie (Zoe Donovan Mystery Book 6) * Maui Madness (Zoe Donovan Mystery Book 7) - Derby Divas (Zoe Donovan Mystery Book 8) - Haunted Hamlet (Zoe Donovan Mystery Book 9) - Turkeys, Tuxes, and Tabbies (Zoe Donovan Mystery Book 10) - Christmas Cozy (Zoe Donovan Mystery Book 11) - Alaskan Alliance (Zoe Donovan Mystery Book 12) - Matrimony Meltdown (Zoe Donovan Mystery Book 13) - Soul Surrender (Zoe Donovan Mystery Book 14) - Heavenly Honeymoon (Zoe Donovan Mystery Book 15) - Hopscotch Homicide (Zoe Donovan Mystery Book 16) - Ghostly Graveyard (Zoe Donovan Mystery Book 17) - Santa Sleuth (Zoe Donovan Mystery Book 18) - Shamrock Shenanigans (Zoe Donovan Mystery Book 19) - Kitten Kaboodle (Zoe Donovan Mystery Book 20) - Costume Catastrophe (Zoe Donovan Mystery Book 21) - Candy Cane Caper (Zoe Donovan Cozy Mystery Book 22) - Holiday Hangover (Zoe Donovan Cozy Mystery Book 23) - Easter Escapade (Zoe Donovan Cozy Mystery 24) {pre-order at this time}
Spin off from Zoe Donovan series Zimmerman Academy. *means NOT ku

Whales and Tails Mystery
Romeow and Juliet (Whales and Tails Mystery Book 1) - The Mad Catter (Whales and Tails Mystery Book 2) - Grimm's Furry Tail (Whales and Tails Cozy Mystery Book 3) - Much Ado About Felines (Whales and Tails Cozy Mystery Book 4) - The Legend of Tabby Hollow (Whales and Tails Cozy Mystery Book 5) - The Cat of Christmas Past (Whales and Tails Cozy Mystery Book 6) - A Tale of Two Tabbies (Whales and Tails Cozy Mystery Book 7) - The Great Catsby (Whales and Tails Cozy Mystery Book 8) - Count Catula (Whales and Tails Cozy Mystery Book 9) - The Cat of Christmas Present (Whales and Tails Cozy Mystery Book 10) - A Winter's Tail (Whales and Tails Cozy Mystery Book 11)

Murder at Dolphin Bay (Sand and Sea Hawaiian Mystery Book 1) - Murder at Sunrise (A Sand and Sea Hawaiian Mystery Book 2) - Murder at the Witching Hour (Sand and Sea Hawaiian Mystery #3) - Murder at Christmas (Sand and Sea Hawaiian Mystery #4)

Zoe Donovan, Whales and Tails, Sand and Sea, others, check out amazon page

[Daniel E Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertainment for seniors

This story was to short. I was hoping the treasure hunt led to something beneficial to the town history or maybe someone in town to an unknown relative. I really really liked the treasure hunt and with your Imagination wisdom I could follow the journey for quite awhile. I am am pleased with your writing but your mystery treasure hunts are addicting. The treasure doesn't have to be gold or money. Please do not take this as criticism but encouragement. I am a stalker of your books. I have read only 32 books in less than a month and look forward to reading all you have written. Thank you for leading me into so many journeys and exciting entertainment without tainting my morality.

[D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Part 1 of this book, includes all the previously printed chapters; Part 2 is new with the story of Phyllis' birthday. Phyllis thinks everyone has forgotten her birthday. A surprise is in store for her!

[Darlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story that will keep you interested from the first page to the last.

[Joanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

New Beginnings Phyllis is second novella in the Zimmerman Academy Shorts series by Kathi Daley. This is a spinoff of the Zoe Donovan series. This short story is told from Phyllis King’s perspective. The early chapters were originally included in several of the recent Zoe Donovan series books. I’m looking forward the growth and changes in Phyllis’ life since joining the faculty at Zimmerman Academy and opening her home to Brooklyn Banks, Pepper Pepperton, and Eve Lambert. The novella ends with a mystery surrounding an unpublished manuscript. Phyllis’ friends, Hazel, Luke and Ethan explore a donated book written in 1956 and recognize women today experience many situations, frustrations and emotions as women did long ago. They, also, delve into the history of Ashton Falls formerly known as Devils Den. The day ends with an amazing birthday party for Phyllis surrounded by her friends.

Kathi Daley’s novella is a quick, enjoyable read which flows smoothly. Even in the novellas, the characters are well developed and the setting readily transports the reader into the world that she has created; one in which the reader feels as if they are visiting with friends. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well-crafted cozy mystery with lovable characters. I am looking forward to reading more books written by this author. If you have not had the opportunity to read Ms. Daley’s books, be sure to become acquainted with each of her series (each uniquely themed and superbly written). In the interim, sit back and enjoy this is cozy mystery, perfect for those who appreciate a quick, well written novella.

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this novella. This is a short story about Phyllis who never married and never had children. She lived alone focusing on academics all her life. She was to be the new principal and teacher at a new school that just started with just a handful of teenagers. She takes in three girls and they change the perspective of her life and she finds there are more things that are important in life besides her career. This is a short story off of the Zoe Donovan series, and the second book in this set. This is one of the few series of Daley’s that I have not read yet. Even not knowing the series, the story was easy to read as a stand-alone and now has me wanting to start the Zoe series. This is a great story for all ages to enjoy.

[Dharia Scarab · Rating 4 out of 5]

Since I don't normally write reviews unless I have something specific to say, here's the break down of how I rate my books...

1 star... This book was bad, so bad I may have given up and skipped to the end. I will avoid this author like the plague in the future.

2 stars... This book was not very good, and I won't be reading any more from the author.

3 stars... This book was ok, but I won't go out of my way to read more, But if I find another book by the author for under a dollar I'd pick it up.

4 stars... I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be on the look out to pick up more from the series/author.

5 stars... I loved this book! It has earned a permanent home in my collection and I'll be picking up the rest of the series and other books from the author ASAP.

[Jill B · Rating 4 out of 5]

New Beginnings

I did enjoy this short story from Phyllis's point of view. It was fun to see her grow and learn from the three young girls who are staying with her. It was nice to read a short story, but I think that I prefer a regular length book.

[Shannon Benson · Rating 3 out of 5]

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