Hospitality and Homicide

Jill Gardner owns Coffee, Books, and More, a go-to destination for those needing that first cup in the morning. While life is never dull in the coastal town of South Cove, it's even less so right now for Jill, who's trying to juggle her store, obtain a business degree at a local college and the arrival in town of an author, Nathan Pike, who's come to write his next novel - a murder mystery - and tag along with the local cops. What Jill doesn't count on is the fact that Nathan is annoying and the cops - including her boyfriend Police Chief Greg King - doesn't want anything to do with him.

While at a meet-and-greet for Pike at South Cove B&B, Jill notices Walter Knicely, a rival B&B owner but her attention is soon drawn away by the late show more arrival of Pike. After the evening ends when Jill and Greg are walking home, they see that her neighbor Esmeralda's lights are still on and wind up discussing a case about a boy, Thad, who went missing, swept away by a wave and is presumed dead. Esmeralda, a self-proclaimed psychic, is convinced he's still alive. While Greg doesn't like the fact she's seeing the parents, there isn't much he can do about it.

On top of this, there's a new clock store in town, Killing Time, but the owner Ian doesn't seem to be very social; and her employee Sasha is leaving for a better job, which means Jill needs to hire another employee. But the big surprise for Jill is that Greg tells her his apartment lease is soon ending, and he wants to move in with her. For Jill, it's not that easy, considering she has a string of bad relationships behind her, so it gives her a lot to think about.

Not too long after the body of Walter is found, and even though Jill is trying to stay out of this one considering everything else she's up against, eventually her natural curiosity gets the better of her and she begins making discreet inquiries. But will she be able to take what she's learned about Walter's past and keep it from getting herself killed in the future?

Once again, we have a delightful mystery set in the lovely coastal town of South Cove. While we are discovering the truth of Walter's murder we're also discovering more bits and pieces about its residents. The characters are vibrant and believable; they have flaws as real people do, and you can feel Jill's insecurity as she wrestles with the decision of whether to allow Greg to move in. But even the side stories are intriguing; not only that of Esmeralda, but with her aunt, Toby, Sasha, and the others; it is a real pleasure to be allowed into these characters' lives and spend time with them.

As for the mystery itself, we actually have two: that of the missing Thad and Walter. While you're rooting for the safety of Thad, you're searching for a murderer, and that is where the tale becomes captivating. There are more than one red herring; what seems to be the easy answer isn't; and things aren't always what they seem. Ms. Cahoon has an ability to create new characters and tie them into the story seamlessly, and thereby creating a delectable storyline of merging the new with the old. It is a book that kept me reading to the end late into the night (Thanks, Lynn).

When we finally come to the end and discover the murderer, it is a sad testament to the fragility of the human mind; both sad and twisted at the same time. We have another winner from the author and I look forward to many more. Highly recommended. show less

Just LOVED it. Lynn Cahoon has the "cozy feel" down pat as she writes about South Cove and and Jill Gardner, proprietor of Coffee, Books, and More.

This is the second book of the series I've read. I'm coming to believe that the characters are living, breathing, to the point of writing themselves.
Several characters fall into the quirky category, but as you read, the character grows and changes until you can't help but like them. I didn't like Aunt Jackie at first, but she's growing on me. Esmeralda is another character that at first the author encourages the reader to question and dislike, yet the character won't settle for that treatment. Love the way Cahoon shows that a love like Harrold's can actually change someone for the show more better.

Another technique Cahoon employs to make her characters real is to have a slew of personal crises going on at same time, giving the book real-life effect and fun layering. Jill/Greg, Toby/Sasha, Josh/Mandy, Nate/anybody. In some novels, this could be tedious. In this case, the book just becomes a great mesh of a entertwining threads to produce a beautiful tapestry.

All in all, this style of cozy makes me want to cheer and look anxiously for the date of the next book's publication.

I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. That did not affect the opinions presented in my review, for which I am solely responsible. show less

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This did not affect my opinion of the book or my review itself.

Jill Gardner not only owns a bookstore/coffee shop, but she also can't seem to help herself when it comes to getting involved in local mysteries. An author comes for a signing, but finds himself a prime suspect when a murder is committed that exactly mimics one in the first draft of his new book. Jill must try to figure out the truth behind the murder, keep her business going, and decide where her relationship with her police boyfriend is heading.

Jill is a great lead character, surrounded by lots of interesting supporting characters. Her romance with Greg is one to root for as well.

The show more setting is a great one. I love small town mysteries, especially ones set in a bookstore.

The mystery was a well-plotted one, with the ending solution being a complete surprise.

There's not much to not like about this series. It has good characters, mystery, and setting.

If you're a cozy mystery reader, I would definitely recommend this series. show less

I confess, I'm a sucker for a good cozy mystery series, and Cahoon's Tourist Trap series fits that bill. With the usual cast of characters, While this is the 8th book in the series, there is enough backstory to follow along (without it being tedious for loyal readers) to standalone. (I know, because I discovered that I had missed #7 and rushed to pick it up.

South Cove chugs along with its cast of quirky and familiar characters. Main character Jill once again can't resist the puzzles that are in front of her, inevitably playing detective despite her boyfriend (and town Sheriff) Greg's protests. After all, there is a lot of questions: who killed Walter, the B&B owner, who is the mysterious motorcyclist tormenting the townspeople and why show more is the police dispatcher (and local psychic) walking the beach at night?

This is a light mystery - there are no bloody murder scenes. It is a fun mystery and a delightful read. show less

Because I love Lynn Cahoon's Cat Latimer cozy series, when I saw Hospitality and Homicide available for review, I jumped right on it. The book is #8 in the Tourist Trap Mystery Series, but as with most cozy series a reader can usually jump in mid-stream and still enjoy the story. I'm so glad I read this book! I just started a very challenging new job, and I'm really feeling the pressure. Today was my day off....I curled up on the couch with some awesome coffee and devoured this book from cover to cover!

Delightful!!!

I am definitely going to read the rest of this series!

The basics: Jill Garner runs her own business, Coffee, Books and More, in South Cove, CA. She is dating local hunky cop, Greg, and has many friends and associates around show more town. Mystery writer, Nathan Pike, is in town to do some signing events, research at the local police department (much to Greg's chagrin) and write. Things heat up in South Cove when a local B&B owner is found murdered in a gruesome way that mirrors a scene from Nathan's new book. As in most cozy mysteries, Jill decides to put her amateur sleuthing skills to the test and ferret out the murderer. Again, much to Cop boyfriend Greg's chagrin.

The plotline is pretty much standard cozy mystery. Shocking murder. Main character starts investigating for clues, even after multiple cautionary statements from local police. Trouble ensues. Killer discovered. Kiss Kiss. The end. :)

It wasn't the plot that made me like this book so much. I love the characters! Jill is independent, intelligent, and feisty. Her aunt is controlling, yet endearing. The employees at the coffee house are a bit stereotypical, but very likable. And the cop boyfriend isn't controlling or condescending....he's patient, intelligent and good at his job. Cahoon did not paint local law enforcement as bumbling idiots who needed assistance from a local businesswoman to solve a crime....but rather as hard-working cops trying to solve a case. Jill was providing extra information that she gleaned through talking to people, listening to gossip and being a bit sneaky. All in all, the characters, the setting, and the smooth flowing plot made this an excellent book to lose myself in on my day off.

I'm going to backtrack and read the first 7 books in this series. That should tide me over until Lynn Cahoon finishes another book. :) Book 3 in the Cat Latimer Series, Of Murder and Men, comes out this November. And book 9 in the Tourist Trap series, Killer Party, will be available this July!

**I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy of this book from Kensington Books via Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.** show less

I enjoyed another visit to South Cover, California as well as to Coffee, Books and More. This small tourist town is the kind of place I would love to visit. There is a lot going on, some planned and some not, such as the murder of one of the local Bed & Breakfast places in town.

Once again, Jill is involved in the business group when she meets up with the newest business owner, Ian, who has opened a clock repair business. As well she hears some grumbling about Walter's B&B not doing as well as he hoped. There is also an author in town to do an event and book signing as well as ride along with Greg, a detective and Jill's boyfriend. When Walter ends up dead, trussed to a tree, Nate, the author is the first suspect. You see, this was the show more way he had written a murder in his upcoming book. Of course, Jill sticks her nose in where it doesn't belong and puts herself in some danger. There is a side story going on where there is a missing boy and Esmerelda, the psychic, insists he is still alive.

This is the 8th book in "A Tourist Trap Mystery" series and I love how the characters lives are changing and progressing. Jill and Greg are really heating up with a big decision in this book. Sasha is moving and leaving the store, putting Toby at odds. We will see what happens in the next book. Aunt Jackie and her beau seem to be happy and their relationship is going well. Emma, Jill's dog also plays an important role in this story. Not only is she a great pet, but she has a great nose and protective instinct. Esmeralda, the quirky one, played a bigger role in this story with the missing boy. Even though it was a secondary story line, it was a nice addition and one I was interested in. All the great characters make you identify with the town and rounds out the story. It is more than just a mystery. I had a pretty good idea who the killer was, but it was interesting to discover why he decided to kill the B&B owner.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. The pacing was great, the story line well developed, great characters and setting, a bit of romance, some light humor and a satisfying conclusion. A great book for any cozy mystery lover. show less

The latest murder in South Cove seems to have been stolen from the pages of a visitor author. Jill Gardner the bookstore owner feels compelled to try to discover the murderer at the same time as she is dealing with a few personal issues - namely her boyfriend - the police chief, a wacky neighbor, and an ending romance for two of her employees.

The main mystery is a little light, but there was a secondary mystery surrounding a missing child that was very engrossing. I really enjoyed the story filled with more wacky characters and other previously minor characters that were brought front and center.