Cat Latimer and her writer’s retreat group go on a hiking trip—but a murderer has been lurking off the beaten path . . . Cat’s sweetheart, Seth, is going all out on an outing into the local mountains—for the benefit of the writing group Cat’s hosting at her Colorado B&B. But when they try to identify some plant and animal life, they find death instead. The body belongs to a man with a gold … belongs to a man with a gold claim a few miles away. Instead of striking it rich, he’s been struck down.
To his surprise, Seth recognizes the victim from his military days—and up to now believed he’d already died during his last tour of duty. Now Cat has to solve this mystery before the killer takes a hike . . .
Praise for Lynn Cahoon
“Better get your flashlight handy, A Story to Kill will keep you reading all night.”
—Laura Bradford, author of the Amish Mysteries
“Lynn Cahoon has created an absorbing, good fun mystery in Mission to Murder.”
—Fresh Fiction
more
A Field Guide to Homicide is the 6th book in the Cat Latimer Mystery series written by Lynn Cahoon. The book will be published in January 2020, but I am participating on an upcoming blog tour, so I received an early copy. In this series, ~30ish Cat runs a writer’s retreat in Colorado with her best friend Shauna and boyfriend Seth. Cat is a writer who formerly taught at a local college. Her uncle is a police detective, and she has several friends around town who help her solve crimes on the side.
In this caper, Seth’s unwilling to discuss his days in the army. He’d joined while he and Cat dated the first go-round (before her marriage, divorce, and the death of her mobster husband — happened all before the series began, I’m not spoiling anything). When some of his platoon visit Colorado, one ends up dead… and Cat’s worried that this person had a journal detailing information about her former husband and current life. Then they find out the dead guy might still be alive, or that he faked his death at one point in the past — very intriguing indeed!
As a mystery, it was unique in terms of how it was told and what actually happened. We knew little of the background or murder weapon, but we had to solve it along with Cat. We didn’t get to investigate the actual core group of friends who might be guilty, as Seth kept her away from them. Cat worked with her uncle’s girlfriend, a former cop, to investigate people that had some connection to the dead guy, at least since he’d returned to Colorado and lived on the network. To me, this mystery had some fascinating components, but it also felt like several things had been left out… items that would’ve made it stronger or pop more.
That said, the side stories more than made up for it. Cat’s writer retreat in this book was clever and separate from the murders. Without that piece, we really got to know everyone and enjoy the lessons and writing tips being offered by the author. The sub-plots shined in this book, so I was glad to see a different style. The personal lives of all the main characters also move forward in various ways, which made me happy. I enjoy cozies where the author creates a truly imaginable world other than the murder mysteries. And I feel like I know this town quite well!
The writing is good. The characters are vivid, clear, and diverse. Cat’s personality is a fine balance of bull-dog and reticence. Sometimes I think she and Seth don’t really mesh well, but truthfully, they do… they don’t have a fairy-tale or storybook romance; they have a realistic one, ripe with problems and drama, fights and misunderstandings. That’s a good element to use, and Cahoon does well without making it overdone or weak. She’s strong at balancing those components in her works.
While not my favorite of the series, it kept me interested and I liked the momentum in the town and the story. Looking forward to more in 2020.
Dollycas’s Thoughts
It’s time for another retreat at Cat Latimer’s B&B, Aspen Hills Warm Springs Resort. This group is unique because along with the student from the local college, the other writers are two couples. Seth has planned a special hiking trip for the group complete with field guides to identify flora and fauna. Not long after the hike begins they come across something not covered in Seth’s guide . . . a dead body. A body Seth recognizes. A man he thought had died in Germany during his last tour of duty. He is shocked to learn his friend had been living nearby with a gold claim. With this happening right before a planned reunion of his military friends they all become suspects. Now Cat with some assistance of Uncle Pete’s Gal Pal Retired Alaska Deputy Shirley will do her best to end this killer’s story without ending hers.
_____
This was a rich story with many facets. The main mystery puts Seth and Cat a bit at odds. A friend he thought was dead was really alive and living nearby. Now someone killed him and he can’t believe any of his platoon could be involved. There has to be another explanation. His military life is not something Seth speaks about, so Cat feels she needs to tread lightly. Ms. Cahoon threads a needle releasing clues carefully, and issues the twists precisely. Seth shielded his friends so Cat had to dig into the victim in other ways making this investigation unique. I really enjoyed the way the entire story was plotted and the way it played out.
Lynn Cahoon has created such a strong group of core characters. Cat, Shauna, Seth, Uncle Pete and now Shirley can be added to the mix. I thought we had gotten to know them pretty well over the series so far, but this time readers get more information about Cat and Seth’s relationship at the end of high school and how it all fell apart. Cat learns some things she didn’t know. I loved how this was written and that Seth was featured. It makes the characters even more relatable. Shauna also revealed more about her family this time too. It really shows me we are just scratching the surface of these characters.
Readers are also introduced to a group of retreat writers. Two married couples, Sydney and her husband Tristin write a travel blog, Jocelyn, and her husband Josh, also frequent travelers, write western historical fiction. They are joined by college student Brodie Capone. The two couples become fast friends taking the retreat in a direction Cat never expected. Brodie grows over the course of the story too.
As always the location adds to the story. Trekking the trails more than once was fun and while moving the investigation forward, one of the characters was so delighted by what he saw is brought a huge smile to my face.
In A Field Guide to Homicide, the author sets a perfect pace, each page pulling you deeper into the story. A writer’s retreat, a dead body, an Army reunion, and many secrets all come together to make one heck of a story. The ending was just awesome.
This entire series is great. Treat yourself to the whole bunch.
Those who don’t fit in, relationships that don’t work out, past and present mingle in this latest 5 star read from author Lynn Cahoon.
Cat and Shauna are looking forward to another writer’s retreat week, but this one feels different from the previous ones. Of the five writers, two sets are married couples, leaving the college student as a single. Brodie already arrives feeling a bit lost and alone.
Cat’s boyfriend, Seth, has other things on his mind as well. His army platoon has scheduled a reunion, which brings up emotions about a time he doesn’t talk about. To complicate that, when Seth has the group out on a hike, they discover the body of a goldminer, a man thought to be dead a decade before. Which puts a crimp into Uncle Pete’s plans to spend time with his lady friend, whom he met through a previous writer’s retreat.
And Shauna is feeling down about her brother. Down and used. She really wishes they could build a better relationship.
How can these various elements be woven together into a cohesive book? Lynn Cahoon does a superb job. This series never lets us down.
A Field Guide to Homicide by Lynn Cahoon was an excellent addition to the Cat Latimer series. I was wrapped up in the mystery from the first chapter.
I love visiting with Cat, Seth, Shauna and Uncle Pete as they are so well developed that I feel like I’m among friends each time I open a book in this series. Ms. Cahoon’s story is different from the previous books as this retreat practically runs itself as the writers are two married couples and one student and the murder victim is not part of the retreat. Seth has a bigger part in this one than in previous books as he knew the victim at one time. A quickly paced plot with several deft twists, limited suspects, Shauna comes to Seth’s rescue and a sweet romantic ending makes this one book that I couldn’t put down.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book from Kensington Books via NetGalley. All of the above opinions are my own.
Cat Latimer is getting ready to host
a writer’s retreat at her B&B located
in Aspen Hills Warm Springs Resort
in Colorado.
This retreat tends to be different right
from the beginning. The retreat consists
of two married couples plus a single
college student.
Cat’s boyfriend Seth has his mind on
his army platoon reunion plus setting up
a hike with a field guide he wrote to use
with the retreat group. He doesn’t want
to talk about his time in Germany.
Then on the hike the retreaters lead by
Seth discover the body of a goldminer.
Surprise….this is a former member of his
platoon. This man was supposed to be
dead for over ten years killed overseas
so how can this goldminer be dead again?
Uncle Pete is in charge of the investigation.
This puts a dent in spending time with his
woman friend, Shirley. Shirley is retired
law enforcement from Alaska. She was a
retreat alumnus from a former retreat.
Meantime the cook at the B&B, Shauna
is down about what she thought was to
be a reunion with her brother. Her brother
just wanted her to invest the money she
inherited. What will she do? Shauna also
has a beta reader for the cookbook she
is writing. She is keeping the beta reader
a secret.
I enjoyed the subplots within the main
complex murder mystery plot. This kept
my attention from wandering as the
action was fast paced from the first
word until the ending.
I thought all the characters were well
written, cleverly crafted, well defined
and interesting. I felt the relationship of
the characters between with each other
as tastefully written.
This is book # 6 in the Cat Latimer Mystery
series. It can be read as a stand alone
I volunteered to read A Field Guide to
Homicide. Thanks to Kensington Publishing
via Net Gallery for the opportunity.
My opinion is voluntary and my own.
*I received a free copy of this book which I voluntarily chose to write an honest review for.
Another fantastic addition to an amazing cozy mystery series!! Cat runs a writers retreat once a month and is a writer herself the rest of the time. Each retreat is unique but this one is on it’s own since it two couples along with the college student chosen this round. Makes for an interesting dynamic to say the least. As part of the plans this time they are going on a hike led by Sam which he meticulously plans out only to have it cut short when they run across a dead body. Imagine his surprise when he discovers the body belongs to a member of his old military platoon that he thought died years ago in service. This makes for one intriguing investigation I must say with all kinds of twists alone the way. Cahoon has some true story telling skills I must say. A must read for fans of cozies!! I totally loved it so I give it 5/5 stars.
What a great story line. I love the Writer’s Retreat. Seriously, how much fun would it be to hang with authors for a week at a time. Bonus would be to have the food that Shauna makes. I can’t wait to see if her cookbook takes off. How about that surprise beta reader for her? Then in this story we have some military memories and truths. It could make you stop and think about what might actually go on. I love these characters and their interactions with each other. I can’t wait for the next book. I received this book from NetGalley, but my opinion is my own.
A Field Guide to Homicide by Lynn Cahoon is the 6th A Cat Latimer Mystery. Cat Latimer and the group from her current writer’s retreat are on a hike led by Seth, Cat’s boyfriend. The reach a resting place when Cat notices a foot sticking out of a huckleberry bush across the way. The body belongs to a recluse who lived in the mountains near his gold claim. The victim is identified as Chance McAllister which Seth says is impossible. Seth served with Chance who supposedly died in Germany over ten years ago. Cat’s curiosity is aroused. It is lucky that Seth’s unit is having a reunion this week so Cat can do a little snooping around. I thought A Field Guide to Homicide contained good writing and the story moved along quickly which made this cozy mystery easy to read. This book can be read as a standalone for those new to the series. All the necessary background information is included. The characters are developed and realistic. The mystery was unusual for a cozy in that the reader finds out information along with Cat. We follow her along as she searches for clues and asks questions. I thought the mystery could have used a little oomph. I liked how the whodunit all tied together in the end. I did feel that there was a question or two left unanswered at the end. There were a couple side stories happening at the same time. Shauna has returned from visiting her brother, Jake and it was not the visit she had hoped it would be. Shauna must figure out how she will handle Jake’s persistent pestering for money. Seth is very closemouthed about his time in the army. He will not answer Cat’s questions and his mood has taken a downswing. Uncle Pete’s girlfriend, Shirley Mann is visiting from Alaska. Their relationship is progressing nicely and there might be wedding bells in their future. The current student from Coventry, Brodie wants to take his writing in a new direction. He could use a little guidance. It was interesting to learn more about the publishing industry. Cat shares her knowledge with her writer’s retreat group to help them decide whether to self-publish or go the traditional route. I find Cat and Seth’s relationship to be realistic. They have their ups and downs as do any couple. A Field Guide to Homicide has charming cozy moments with writing, chatting, cooking, and eating Shauna’s tasty food along with a special ending. A Field Guide to Homicide has a calamitous climb, a solitary stiff, a selfish sibling, a wistful writer, scrumptious cuisine, and a perplexing puzzle.
A really great story! This is the 6th book in this series and is a bit different in how it is told compared to the others but it made it very enjoyable to change things up. While taking the retreat group hiking they find a body. Cat, Seth and Shauna must solve the murder of the old army buddie of Seth’s. The story is told with Seth doing the main detecting in this one while Cat and Shauna try to solve it on their end. Very enjoyable and fast read.
Cat and her boyfriend, Seth, are taking her latest group of writers on a hike when they find the body of a gold miner. When the identity of the body is determined, Seth is shocked because the man is an old Army buddy who supposedly died on a mission in Germany. Is his death now somehow connected to what happened then? Can Cat help her uncle solve this mystery?
I’ve really enjoyed this series and this book is no exception. However, there were a few errors including a couple inconsistencies that detracted from the story for me. I love the main cast of characters and the way each group of writers makes each book different. I was drawn into the story from the start and kept hooked throughout. I’m eager for the next book. I highly recommend both book and series which I suggest you read in order to get the most enjoyment and benefit from things.
Very intriguing! I always enjoy Cat’s writing retreats, but this one had a different dynamic. There were two married couples and the Covington student, which made things a little more awkward. The first day, the group takes a hiking trip and end up finding the dead body of one of Seth’s army buddies who everyone thought died 10 years earlier. As Seth reunites with his army friends and Cat runs her retreat, they try to figure out the truth behind this mystery. I really enjoyed learning more about Seth and seeing his and Cat’s relationship grow. I hope there will be more books in this series as I love the writing retreats and the main characters!
A Field Guide to Homicide earns 5/5 Mining Claims…Engaging Entertainment!
Complex and Compelling! Lynn Cahoon and her Farm-to-Fork series has always been a favorite, and now Cat Latimer has joined the list. Lynn’s entertaining writing style with description language and expressive dialogue once again has a delightful set of characters. The mystery was very detailed, complex in its scope, and totally engaging. Cat Latimer is hosting another eclectic group of authors for a Warm Springs Writers’ Retreat, and Seth, Cat’s “old turned new” boyfriend, arranged a hiking trip for the guests. He’s been preoccupied as of late with an upcoming reunion with some army buddies, and although he didn’t share any issues with Cat, she overheard one of his buddies needed to tell him “something.” While on the hiking trip, Cat discovers a man’s leg sticking out of the bushes, and Seth is shocked to find the body belongs to a former army buddy, who had disappeared, presumed dead, after his final military mission. Even more shocking is that the man had been living on one of the nearby mining claims for the last ten years. What happened on that mission? Or is it all a red herring?
Whew! What a ride! The secrets revealed, the investigation developed, and the connections to the Cat’s and Seth’s past are all done with an enjoyable realism, but also with twist, turns, and a “Wow!” ending. The character responses from disbelief and denial to demanding answers and a collaborative manner with law enforcement gave the story credibility; this is something I enjoy with my cozies…realism! There are references to the past, but enough background information to keep me in the loop. The most engaging is the many relationships on display from Cat and Seth relationship history, struggle at times dealing with the gap of years they were apart, her late ex again mentioned, and Seth’s feelings then and now. The ins and outs of managing the B&B, retreat, and guests along with Cat’s writing career are explored. Not every cozy mystery lends itself to bonuses, but food and writing are topics at the B&B. I’d have liked one or two of Shauna’s treats or some tips on writing short stories or travel logs. But, it didn’t effect my enjoyment. I loved the book.
I like Lynn Cahoon. Her stories are enjoyable and her characters likeable. Cat runs a writer’s retreat with her friend Shauna and boyfriend Seth. This retreat happens to have 2 married couples and a young student. One of their first activities is to go on a hike. Instead of enjoying the living flora and fauna, they stumble upon a dead body. It happens to be an old military buddy of Seth’s, who Seth thought died in Germany during an undercover mission.
There are lots of twists. I would jump from one retreat member to one of Seth’s military buddies and back to a retreat member as the murderer. The story moved a little slow for me. That could be because it is the first Cat Latimer story I have read, so I was trying to place all the characters and figure out the history. The characters are fun and the mystery kept me guessing.
Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and offer my honest review on this book.
A Field Guide to Homicide by Lynn Cahoon is book six in the Cat Latimer Mystery series. This is one of my favorite cozy series. Cat is host to a writer’s retreat so every book has guests to the retreat and you get new characters in every book.
Cat and her boyfriend, Seth, are taking the retreat guests on a hike when they come upon a body. To the surprise of Seth, it’s an Army buddy that supposedly died years ago in Germany. How is it possible he has been living in Aspen Hills and no one has seen him and why was he murdered. Cat and Seth jump into investigating then when Seth is targeted Cat knows this needs solved, the sooner the better.
This easy to read cozy has plenty of twists and turns with a surprise ending.
This series has great characters along with a great setting. It also has a story line with Shauna, Cat’s friend and business partner. It will have you wanting to go on a retreat just to see the restored Victorian house and have Shauna’s baked goods.
I was given an ARC by Kensington Books though NetGalley for an honest review.
Cat is getting ready for her next group of writers, even her boyfriend Seth is excited for the upcoming week. Seth has mapped out a hike he plans to take the group on hoping to introduce them to some Colorado plants and wildlife. Its something new they are trying, sending if it is a good fit for the writers groups. When the big day comes all is going well until Cat spots the body of a man in the distance. The outing went from a happy enjoyable day to one struck by murder. They soon learn the identity of the dead man, a name that shocks Seth to his core. The body turns out to be an old army buddy of Seth’s, the only problem Seth thought the man died years ago when they were in the military together. How can this be is the only question that keeps going through Seth’s mind. Cat can see the turmoil this murder is having on Seth and decides she must do her best to figure out who killed the man. With a writer’s retreat going on, Seth being busy with visiting buddies, and a murder to look into Cat’s plate is full. Will she get side tracked by all the goings on or will she find out who the killer is before something g else bad happens. I’ve read all the different series by this author and this one is my favorite. I love the characters, the location, and the mysteries are always fun to dig into!!!
It’s time for another journey back to Colorado and Cat’s writer’s retreat. This retreat is different than others since there are two couples plus the college student from the local college. It is an interesting bunch and while they are featured in the book, I don’t think that they were the main focus. The main characters were tied to Seth’s past in the military and those that were in town for a reunion of sorts. I’m not sure we learned much about Seth’s military buddies but that didn’t stop me from thinking something was off about the deceased and those he served with all those years ago. I feel like there is so much more that Seth hasn’t revealed yet about his time in the military and I wonder if more will be revealed in future books.
We discover a little bit more about Cat’s deceased husband, Michael. The author has a way of keeping me engaged in this series because I want to know what he was involved with and how it will affect Cat. Especially since the dead body from Seth’s unit has notes about Michael and others in his cabin. What is the secret? When will we learn more?
The mystery and the interactions between the various characters (Cat, Seth, Shauna, Uncle Pete, and Shirley) kept me engaged and made it hard for me to put the book down. I had my suspicions about the killer but there was more to the story than I ever expected. Shauna has some family issues that she hides from Cat for most of the book, but I’m glad she trusts their friendship and opens up about what is happening with her family.
Overall we give this book 4 paws up.
I really love this series… the setting, the characters, the plots, and the writers’ retreat! In Field Guide to Homicide, Cat, Shauna, and Seth have a new element to the writers’ retreat: a hike. What could go wrong with getting into nature, getting some exercise, and taking in the breathtaking views? When Cat spots a dead body and Seth knows the unfortunate soul, Cat decides she needs to investigate the mysterious death and help Seth come to terms with the fate of his one-time friend. This is a well-written mystery and I didn’t figure it out until it was revealed. We learn more about Seth’s military past, and it was fun to follow the writers visiting for the retreat: two sets of writer couples and the college student. I recommend this book and series to any reader who enjoys a good mystery, or a writer who would enjoy reading about a writers’ retreat. As usual, I look forward to the next book in the series!
I received an advance copy of this book. This review contains my honest thoughts and opinions.
Cat is at it again in the lastest “Cat Latimer Mystery” from Lynn Cahoon, A Field Guide To Homicide coming January 28th from Kensington Books. This time at least the body isn’t in her shop, and she’s not being accused of murder, thankfully!
Why is it everywhere Cat goes a body is sure to follow? This time someone is murdered up in the hills, and the only reason Cat is involved because she showed up with her newest writers retreat guests and discovered the body. In the newest addition to this literary series, Cat walks a fine line between staying out of the investigation, and diving in headfirst.
Characters in this series, including Seth Uncle Pete, and Shauna are well established, but readers are still learning more about who they are as individuals. Each person involved brings a new twist to the story and allows the reader to enjoy the action and the read. A literary series steeped in writing and learning can sometimes be annoying, but Lynn Cahoon knows how to keep the story and the action moving. There are plenty of suspects with a motive that could apply to all of them.
In the end, Cat finds the killer. The question of who-done-it is never really in doubt; it’s the why that sets this book apart. The ending will leave readers smiling and looking forward to the next installment in this literary series. I am happy to recommend A Field Guide To Homicide to those looking for a fast, fun read that won’t leave them in a lurch.
This is the sixth book in the Cat Latimer Mystery series and a very enjoyable read. By this point in the series, the characters are well developed, realistic and with the cast of secondary characters a diverse group. I enjoy the writing retreat aspect of the series because it allows Ms. Cahoon to introduce us to new characters that contribute to the diversity and keeping the series fresh. This time around, I thought the story was different from the rest in that the attendees of the retreat were not such a focus as in past books and didn’t really play a role in solving the mystery. This book focused more on Seth’s past in the army and how it is still impacting his relationship with Cat today. The two of them still have a bit of baggage to unpack, and there were times throughout the book that wondered if their relationship was grounded in the present or an attempt to recapture the past. I also love the growth we are seeing with Shauna. I like where the author is taking her character and hope to see that continue.
The mystery was interesting. As usual, Cat has the misfortune to find another dead body. This time, however, it is someone from Seth’s past that he and his army buddies thought had been killed. The mystery proved interesting in that there was no really viable murder weapon or motive, give that everyone thought the victim was already dead. As the story unfolds, the reader gets introduced to some army buddies of Seth’s and potential suspects come into focus. The identity of the killer is not completely obvious but it is not a complete surprise either. The motive, however, is not really known until the killer’s identity is revealed and then the story crystalizes.
I enjoy this series and look forward to reading each new book The characters are well developed and have a natural, realistic feel to them. The author’s writing flows and she knows how to engage her readers in a mystery that will capture their attention, providing them with a few hours of fun entertainment.
I voluntarily read a digital ARC provided to me by the publisher, Kensington, through Netgalley. This book is currently scheduled for release in January 2020.
A Field Guide to Homicide Is the 6th instalment in the Cat Latimer mystery series by Lynn Cahoon. As always I found this story to be a quick and enjoyable read. I love this series and was super happy to get an Advanced Readers Copy.
Cat Latimer and her writer’s retreat group go on a hiking trip—but a murderer has been lurking off the beaten path . . .
Cat’s sweetheart, Seth, is going all out on an outing into the local mountains—for the benefit of the writing group Cat’s hosting at her Colorado B&B. But when they try to identify some plant and animal life, they find death instead. The body belongs to a man with a gold claim a few miles away. Instead of striking it rich, he’s been struck down.
To his surprise, Seth recognizes the victim from his military days—and up to now believed he’d already died during his last tour of duty. Now Cat has to solve this mystery before the killer takes a hike . . .
I love the main set of characters Cat, Shauna, Seth and Uncle Pete they feel like family/friends. The characters are well developed and interesting. One thing I like about this series is that we get a look at writing as a profession and what authors have to do to get published.
I was pulled in from the very beginning and didn’t stop till the end. The mystery was well plotted and moved along at an even pace. There are only a few suspects for the murder and you find yourself second guessing on who the murder can be. Overall I found this to be a great story.
I highly recommend this series to all my cozy friends.
I requested and received an Advanced Readers Copy from Kensington Publishing and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.