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robinwalter's review
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Run of the mill, nothing special and not interesting enough to bother reading more of the series
bwilhoite8's review against another edition
5.0
This was a great book. I loved all the characters. Well mostly. The ones I didn't, you're not suppose too! The end hooks you to needing the second book. Lynn Cahoon did a great job.
pugmomsbookblog's review against another edition
5.0
This is a great first book in the Cat Latimer Mystery Series by Lynn Cahoon. If you love cozy mysteries that feature characters who are writers, then you will love this one.
Cat Latimer moves back to her hometown and takes up residence in her former husband's home. A writer herself now, she decides to start up a writer's retreat, in conjunction with the local college, so that writers can come to write in peace and quiet. What she never expected was a murder and a lot of unsavory characters who might not be who they say they are.
I really enjoyed this book and was glad to get to read the first book in a new series. The main characters (the writer and her best friend and then a former love interest) are not unique in this genre but they are fun and the reader can relate to them easily. I am eagerly looking forward to the next book in the series.
I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Cat Latimer moves back to her hometown and takes up residence in her former husband's home. A writer herself now, she decides to start up a writer's retreat, in conjunction with the local college, so that writers can come to write in peace and quiet. What she never expected was a murder and a lot of unsavory characters who might not be who they say they are.
I really enjoyed this book and was glad to get to read the first book in a new series. The main characters (the writer and her best friend and then a former love interest) are not unique in this genre but they are fun and the reader can relate to them easily. I am eagerly looking forward to the next book in the series.
I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
peacefrog's review against another edition
4.0
Having read the author previously I thought the main character might be similar to the Tourist Trap series. I was wrong. Although I suspected the killer and the motive, the plot twists and the truths were completely surprising. Unfortunately I did find Cat’s self doubts about the retreat slightly annoying. On to the second in the series!
dontmissythesereads's review against another edition
4.0
Book #5 read in 2018
I really enjoyed this first in the series. I enjoyed the premise and there was a great underlying mystery that took place as well. I can't wait to read the next in the series to see how the characters develop.
I really enjoyed this first in the series. I enjoyed the premise and there was a great underlying mystery that took place as well. I can't wait to read the next in the series to see how the characters develop.
angrygreycatreads's review against another edition
4.0
A Story to Kill is the first in a new series, A Cat Latimer Mystery Series. Cat Latimer has recently inherited a house and the estate of her ex-husband, an economics professor at a small college. She is a writer and is turning the house into a writer’s retreat B and B type business. The book opens with the first group of guests due to arrive including a famous novelist who is writing a revealing memoir about his youth at the college.
Once the murder occurs, Cat has her hands full trying to clear her guests names and keep them calm, hosting the victim’s spouse, worrying about keeping her fledgling business afloat and meeting her own editor’s deadlines. Along with the main plot line, there is a subplot that concerns Cat’s ex-husband, his death and what really happened during their marriage, this is part is not resolved in this first book and appears as though it will be an over-arching mystery for the series. There is also a romantic subplot, in the form of a hunky handyman, Seth.
Very enjoyable cozy read, classic college town atmosphere, engaging writer’s retreat theme, and an intelligent educated sleuth.
Once the murder occurs, Cat has her hands full trying to clear her guests names and keep them calm, hosting the victim’s spouse, worrying about keeping her fledgling business afloat and meeting her own editor’s deadlines. Along with the main plot line, there is a subplot that concerns Cat’s ex-husband, his death and what really happened during their marriage, this is part is not resolved in this first book and appears as though it will be an over-arching mystery for the series. There is also a romantic subplot, in the form of a hunky handyman, Seth.
Very enjoyable cozy read, classic college town atmosphere, engaging writer’s retreat theme, and an intelligent educated sleuth.
mystereity's review against another edition
5.0
Read my full review (and more!) on my blog at Mystereity Reviews
Small town secrets lead to murder in A Story to Kill, the first in the Cat Latimer series combines a superb plot with a dash of humor and a sprinkling of romance.
The intricate, multifaceted plot kept me guessing; there were no shortage of suspects in the murder of Tom Cook. The subplot surrounding the death of Cat's ex-husband was a real cliffhanger, it added a big dose of intrigue to an already rich plot. Steady pacing kept the story on track, adding a lot of detail without dumping a lot of information into your lap all at once.
Overall, an absorbing read perfect to sink into for an afternoon. I definitely recommend this book (and the author) to anyone who enjoys a good cozy mystery.
Thank you to Netgalley and Kensington for a copy of the ARC in return for an honest review.
Small town secrets lead to murder in A Story to Kill, the first in the Cat Latimer series combines a superb plot with a dash of humor and a sprinkling of romance.
The intricate, multifaceted plot kept me guessing; there were no shortage of suspects in the murder of Tom Cook. The subplot surrounding the death of Cat's ex-husband was a real cliffhanger, it added a big dose of intrigue to an already rich plot. Steady pacing kept the story on track, adding a lot of detail without dumping a lot of information into your lap all at once.
Overall, an absorbing read perfect to sink into for an afternoon. I definitely recommend this book (and the author) to anyone who enjoys a good cozy mystery.
Thank you to Netgalley and Kensington for a copy of the ARC in return for an honest review.
krisrid's review against another edition
4.0
There was a lot I liked about this first book in this series, and one thing I didn't. Overall, though this was high on the list of cozies I've liked, and will definitely read the next book in the series to see how it develops.
First, what I liked. I really liked the writers retreat aspect and talk about reading and writing books. Having the retreat set in an old house renovated for the purpose is also a fun component, especially as the renovations are continuing during this book.
I really liked the motley cast of characters, both the "regulars" who will obviously be permanent members, and the writers coming to the retreat. The writers who visit makes this a series that has lots of potential for keeping the concept of this series fresh and unpredictable, since new guests mean new plots that are actually plausible, rather than just a formula that gets thinner and thinner in terms of believeability. There are lots of possibilities with this idea.
I like that the setting is Colorado, a different locale than many cozies I've read and somewhere I don't know that much about.
I liked the complexity and the secrets that are revealed in Cat's life, in addition to the murder that takes place among the first set of guests at the retreat. That also set up some potentially intriguing plot lines for future books and interested me.
The one thing about this I didn't love was Cat's angst about her potential romance with Seth. To avoid spoilers, all I will say is: "Stop mooning about and DECIDE WHAT YOU WANT, Cat!" The anguish and drama and caterwauling was way over the top, even for a cozy. It also didn't jibe with the rest of Cat's personality in the book. I didn't buy that she would be a weepy, angry mess about something that should be a no-brainer. That one thing irked me throughout the story, but hopefully in the next book, that will have resolved, so Cat can move forward without the histrionics.
Overall, though, I really enjoyed this, and am looking forward to reading more in this series.
First, what I liked. I really liked the writers retreat aspect and talk about reading and writing books. Having the retreat set in an old house renovated for the purpose is also a fun component, especially as the renovations are continuing during this book.
I really liked the motley cast of characters, both the "regulars" who will obviously be permanent members, and the writers coming to the retreat. The writers who visit makes this a series that has lots of potential for keeping the concept of this series fresh and unpredictable, since new guests mean new plots that are actually plausible, rather than just a formula that gets thinner and thinner in terms of believeability. There are lots of possibilities with this idea.
I like that the setting is Colorado, a different locale than many cozies I've read and somewhere I don't know that much about.
I liked the complexity and the secrets that are revealed in Cat's life, in addition to the murder that takes place among the first set of guests at the retreat. That also set up some potentially intriguing plot lines for future books and interested me.
The one thing about this I didn't love was Cat's angst about her potential romance with Seth. To avoid spoilers, all I will say is: "Stop mooning about and DECIDE WHAT YOU WANT, Cat!" The anguish and drama and caterwauling was way over the top, even for a cozy. It also didn't jibe with the rest of Cat's personality in the book. I didn't buy that she would be a weepy, angry mess about something that should be a no-brainer. That one thing irked me throughout the story, but hopefully in the next book, that will have resolved, so Cat can move forward without the histrionics.
Overall, though, I really enjoyed this, and am looking forward to reading more in this series.
dollycas's review against another edition
5.0
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Author Cat Latimer is back in Colorado in the house she and her ex-husband used to own. Seems he never changed his will after their divorce and she is turning the house into a retreat for other writers to come to get it away from all their distractions at home to work on their books. The nearby college also has an excellent resource library and she hopes the writers will find inspiration or the details they need to bring their stories together.
She can’t believe bestselling author Tom Cook is one of her first guests. With the help of her friend Shauna, who can actually cook and her old high school boyfriend’s construction abilities this first retreat should go off without a hitch. That is until one of the authors attending the retreat meets his untimely demise. Cat thinks her plans for her new business are toast. But maybe, she will be able assist her uncle/ police chief find the killer and wrap this whole thing quickly before she is out of business.
As I have come to expect from this author she has created some very heartwarming characters and added the perfect amount of those who are much more unique. I love that Shauna has come with Cat and they are running this business together. Shauna is ultra organized and that leaves Cat time to not only write but investigate. Seth and Cat had a thing in high school but as happens they drifted apart. They are trying to take things slow, or least Cat is, but you can feel the sparks that ignite when they are even just in the same room together. Uncle Pete knows that Cat is not going to leave the investigating to him so he listens to all her ideas and her reports of what she has picked up while she is out and about. These are very detailed characters and so well crafted for just the first book in the series.
As for the mystery, I thought I knew the killer but had no idea why, there was no motive that I could see. When Cat kept digging and pushing things started to fall into place and one subplot wrapped up in a way I had hoped it would. There were plenty of twists and turns and deflection. A HUGE secret plays a major part to solving this mystery. The story kept my eyes almost literally glued to the pages. I needed my questions answered just like Cat.
In true Lynn Cahoon style while the main mystery concluded, she pulls us in at the end with a cliffhanger. Fatality by Firelight come out February 28, 2017. Thankfully we don’t have to wait a whole year
Author Cat Latimer is back in Colorado in the house she and her ex-husband used to own. Seems he never changed his will after their divorce and she is turning the house into a retreat for other writers to come to get it away from all their distractions at home to work on their books. The nearby college also has an excellent resource library and she hopes the writers will find inspiration or the details they need to bring their stories together.
She can’t believe bestselling author Tom Cook is one of her first guests. With the help of her friend Shauna, who can actually cook and her old high school boyfriend’s construction abilities this first retreat should go off without a hitch. That is until one of the authors attending the retreat meets his untimely demise. Cat thinks her plans for her new business are toast. But maybe, she will be able assist her uncle/ police chief find the killer and wrap this whole thing quickly before she is out of business.
As I have come to expect from this author she has created some very heartwarming characters and added the perfect amount of those who are much more unique. I love that Shauna has come with Cat and they are running this business together. Shauna is ultra organized and that leaves Cat time to not only write but investigate. Seth and Cat had a thing in high school but as happens they drifted apart. They are trying to take things slow, or least Cat is, but you can feel the sparks that ignite when they are even just in the same room together. Uncle Pete knows that Cat is not going to leave the investigating to him so he listens to all her ideas and her reports of what she has picked up while she is out and about. These are very detailed characters and so well crafted for just the first book in the series.
As for the mystery, I thought I knew the killer but had no idea why, there was no motive that I could see. When Cat kept digging and pushing things started to fall into place and one subplot wrapped up in a way I had hoped it would. There were plenty of twists and turns and deflection. A HUGE secret plays a major part to solving this mystery. The story kept my eyes almost literally glued to the pages. I needed my questions answered just like Cat.
In true Lynn Cahoon style while the main mystery concluded, she pulls us in at the end with a cliffhanger. Fatality by Firelight come out February 28, 2017. Thankfully we don’t have to wait a whole year