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 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. ( )

Really liked Hospitality and Homicide. A nice blend of town folks, murder mystery and romance. ( )

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 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.**

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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 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. ( )

Hospitality and Homicide: A Tourist Trap Mystery
Author: Lynn Cahoon
Publisher: Lyrical Underground

South Cove, California, is beautiful and filled with everything a visitor could want from a seaside town. Jill Gardner knows the town's attraction and enjoys living in the small busy place. She is the owner of Coffee, Books, and More a combination bookstore and coffee house, and occasionally she would be dragged into the middle of a murder investigation, this time she is also involved in a case of a missing child.

When mystery author Nathan Pike checks into South Cove Bed & Breakfast to write his latest novel, everyone is happy to see him, but when he is accused of murder, they may have a change of heart. Jill feels the need to prove Nathan’s innocence and find the killer.

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This is the 8th book in the Tourist Trap Mystery series for Lynn Cahoon. It is a fast paced read with very well rounded characters and a compelling storyline. The location is attractive, and the author brings the town to life with her vivid detail.

The characters are all nicely developed with Aunt Jackie and Jill being the heart of the story. Jackie has a way of handling things and people that allow Jill the freedom to do what she wants with her life and her business, and still keep the store running smoothly. This allows Jill the time to work on her school work and investigate a murder. While looking into the murder of a fellow business owner, Jill also begins to develop a relationship with her neighbor, physic and police receptionist Esmeralda and is concerned about her recent behavior. In unraveling the murder and discovering the killer’s identity, Jill also comes to a decision regarding her relationship with Greg.

This is an enjoyable read, fast paced with lots of twists and turns to keep the reader guessing. It is written well and keeps the plot moving forward. This book and series is highly recommended and should appeal to anyone who likes romance with their mystery.


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