A new series from the author of the Tourist Trap Mysteries!Former English professor Cat Latimer is back in Colorado, hosting writers’ retreats in the big blue Victorian she’s inherited, much to her surprise, from none other than her carousing ex-husband! Now it’s an authors’ getaway—but Cat won’t let anyone get away with murder… business, and bestselling author Tom Cook is among its first guests. Cat doesn’t know why he came all the way from New York, but she’s glad to have him among the quirkier—and far less famous—attendees.
Cat’s high school sweetheart Seth, who’s fixing up the weathered home, brings on mixed emotions for Cat…some of them a little overpowering. But it’s her uncle, the local police chief, whom she’ll call for help when there’s a surprise ending for Tom Cook in his cozy guest room. Will a killer have the last word on the new life Cat has barely begun?
Praise for Lynn Cahoon’s Tourist Trap Mysteries
“Murder, dirty politics, pirate lore, and a hot police detective: Guidebook to Murder has it all! A cozy lover’s dream come true.”—Susan McBride, author of Say Yes to the Death
“Lynn Cahoon has created an absorbing, good fun mystery in Mission to Murder.”—Fresh Fiction
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Last year, I won an ARC of a later book in the Cat Latimer series by Lynn Cahoon. I didn’t have the time to start the series from the beginning, so I broke my own rule and read mid-series… it worked out and now I’m giving the whole series a fresh look from the debut, A Story to Kill. I enjoyed the book more than the later one, but I suspect it’s a case of this is one of those series it’s better to read in order. While Cahoon does a good job catching up readers on the basics, we learn so much more about the characters and begin to invest in them after what happened in the year leading up to the first book and the story in it, too. I’d suggest reading them in order if you’re new to the series.
Cat Latimer married her college sweetheart after leaving her high school sweetheart, Seth, when he went into the army and they lost touch. When her husband started to cheat on her and grow distant, they divorced and she was distraught for a while. Before book one opens, he’s passed away and left his home in Colorado to her. Cat decided to open a writer’s retreat house (she had become an English professor and moved around a bit) before settling back in Colorado. Her first set of guests includes a famous author who ends up being strangled in his bedroom one night. Was it the kooky sisters who seem very at odds? A young college girl with a crush on him or someone else? A supposedly grieving widow? An angry writer who claims the guy stole his work? Or a former friend whose girlfriend went missing years ago and suspected the late author of foul play? Cat feels obliged to investigate alongside her Uncle Pete, the police chief, and best friend and chef, Shauna. She figures it out just a bit too late when the killer shows up to take care of her, too! But luckily someone steps in to save her at the last minute.
I love the concept of the writer’s retreat. Cat is a sympathetic character who learns the death of her ex-husband, and what she thought he had been doing might not actually be the truth. The book ends on a cliffhanger making readers anxious to pickup the next one to find out the truth about the past. The mystery in this book was closed up nicely, but 50% of it was too easy while the other 50% was a challenge. I enjoyed the writing style and the setting, and the potential is strong. I look forward to continuing the series this year, as there are 4 currently with one on the way in the next year. Kudos to Cahoon for making this a wonderful reading retreat, too!
Cat Latimer has returned home to Aspen Hills, Colorado when, much to her surprise, she inherits their former home from her ex-husband. She’s turning the Victorian house into a writer’s retreat. When best-selling author, Tom Cook, signs up for her first session, Cat’s thrilled but that thrill turns to shock when she finds Tom’s body. Can Cat help find the killer and save her new business?
I’ve read and enjoyed one of Lynn Cahoon’s other series so when I came across this one I just had to try it and I’m so glad I did. I loved this book which is first in the series. I was pulled into the story from the beginning and really liked the main character, Cat, as well as the secondary characters of her best friend, her uncle the police chief, and her high school sweetheart. I was hooked throughout the book and the mystery kept me guessing. This book was well-written with a wonderful cast of characters whom you’ll enjoy getting to know. I’m very eager for the next book and highly recommend this one.
Cat Latimer has returned home to Colorado. She has inherited her former home from her ex-husband and is turning it into a writers’ retreat. The beautiful blue victorian is filled with memories and Cat is working on starting over. Her best friend Shauna has moved with her from California and is working as the resident chef and assistant to Cat.
Cat is also employing her high school sweetheart to make repairs and remodeled parts of the house.
The first retreat is underway and includes bestselling author, Tom Cook. Also included among the first guests are a pair of quirky sisters who write romance, a graduate student, and a man of which little is known.
The retreat has only just begun when Cat must call her Uncle Pete, the local police chief, to help out with an unexpected event at the house. A murder may change the course of the retreat and Cat’s future in her new business.
I enjoyed this book very much. The characters are interested and develop well as the story goes on. I keep wondering if Billy is a character that will pop up again. Everyone seemed to have a pad feeling about him, but we never find out of it is more than the fact he’s jerk. I also like the sisters and though they live in another part of the country I hope they will visit the retreat again some time. The action in the story moves along at a nice pace. There are no lulls in the action. The story’s end leaves us with a hint of what is to come in the next book. I definitely recommend this book and I look forward to reading the next book in the series.
Love all her books.
Cat has got major issues at her writers retreat. Between the sex-crazed seniors, plot stealing accusers and a old guy chasing psycho, Cat has to deal with her ex high school boyfriend. Oh, and don’t forget someone kills one of her guests! What’s a girl to do? Solve the case and finish writing her book that’s what! I loved this book and I’m becoming a huge fan of this author!
In just a few paragraphs you get an idea about what it takes to be an author.
On the whole it is a fun book and one I’ll recommend.
Wasn’t sure I would enjoy as much as the Tourist Trap series, but I did!
A Story to Kill the first book in the Cat Latimer Mystery Series by Lynn Cahoon. In this book Cat Latimer has moved back to Colorado and has opened a writers’ retreat bed and breakfast. Shortly after the writers arrive best selling author Tom Cook is found dead. Can Cat find out who killed Tom before she or another guest are harmed?
I really enjoyed this book, this is a great start to a new series. It is well written cozy with great pace and enough red herrings to keep you guessing. I really like Cat Latimer, she is a strong female lead. I also enjoyed the secondary characters like the sisters. The sisters provide a humorous sibling rivalry. In addition to the mystery of a Tom’s murder Mrs. Cahoon includes an added mystery that will continue into future books.
I would definitely recommend this book and plan on reading future books.