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theavidreaderandbibliophile's review against another edition
3.0
A Story to Kill by Lynn Cahoon is the first book in A Cat Latimer Mystery series. Cat Latimer is a former English Professor at Covington College. She has decided to start the Warm Springs Writer’s Retreat in Aspen Hills, Colorado (near the college). Writers can get away from the normal environment, meet fellow writers, and have some quiet time to write. It is all thanks to her ex-husband (Michael) who recently passed away and left her this house. This is Cat’s first retreat and one of the guests is Tom Cook, a bestselling writer (something Cat was not expecting). Things are going well until Cat notices that she has not seen Tom in a while. Cat finds Tom dead in his room. Cat immediately calls Chief Pete Edmond, her uncle. Who wanted Tom dead? Cat needs to get to the bottom of this mystery (it did happen in her house).
Seth Howard, her boyfriend from high school, has been fixing up the house for her and will be doing a remodel to add additional space to the house. Seth discovers a secret room in the attic but is unable to open it. When Cat finds Michael’s journal, it references the room, and he even left her a key. Did any of this have something to do with his death? Then someone leaves a white carnation outside her study. Only Michael knew she loved them. This is only the beginning. Cat is in for a busy time with her writing (she writes paranormal novels), her writing retreat business, a possible romance, solving Tom’s murder, and now this! Join Cat on her adventures in A Story to Kill.
I thought that there was too much romance in A Story to Kill. I do not feel that romance should not be the dominate part of a cozy mystery. The book had Cat admiring Seth’s rear end in his jeans and watching “his muscles ripple”. It was too much (these were just two examples). I enjoy a little romance in a cozy mystery (it needs to be subtle and play out slowly), but the lust fest was over the top (and I am not exaggerating). The mystery (main one) was so very simple and easy to solve (I knew who the murderer was when they found the body). The secondary one leaves us with a cliffhanger (it will probably take place over a series of novels). I thought the secondary mystery (about Michael) was more captivating (it definitely captured my interest). A Story to Kill as a satisfactory first novel. I think it needs some work (like less romance and lusting). I felt bad for the retreaters. Cat spent more time writing (working on her second novel) and with Seth, than with the people who paid for the retreat. I give A Story to Kill 3 out of stars. I will read the next book in the series to see if there is improvement.
I received a complimentary copy of the novel in exchange for an honest and forthright review. The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.
Seth Howard, her boyfriend from high school, has been fixing up the house for her and will be doing a remodel to add additional space to the house. Seth discovers a secret room in the attic but is unable to open it. When Cat finds Michael’s journal, it references the room, and he even left her a key. Did any of this have something to do with his death? Then someone leaves a white carnation outside her study. Only Michael knew she loved them. This is only the beginning. Cat is in for a busy time with her writing (she writes paranormal novels), her writing retreat business, a possible romance, solving Tom’s murder, and now this! Join Cat on her adventures in A Story to Kill.
I thought that there was too much romance in A Story to Kill. I do not feel that romance should not be the dominate part of a cozy mystery. The book had Cat admiring Seth’s rear end in his jeans and watching “his muscles ripple”. It was too much (these were just two examples). I enjoy a little romance in a cozy mystery (it needs to be subtle and play out slowly), but the lust fest was over the top (and I am not exaggerating). The mystery (main one) was so very simple and easy to solve (I knew who the murderer was when they found the body). The secondary one leaves us with a cliffhanger (it will probably take place over a series of novels). I thought the secondary mystery (about Michael) was more captivating (it definitely captured my interest). A Story to Kill as a satisfactory first novel. I think it needs some work (like less romance and lusting). I felt bad for the retreaters. Cat spent more time writing (working on her second novel) and with Seth, than with the people who paid for the retreat. I give A Story to Kill 3 out of stars. I will read the next book in the series to see if there is improvement.
I received a complimentary copy of the novel in exchange for an honest and forthright review. The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.
terrym10's review against another edition
3.0
This was the first book I’ve read by Lynn Cahoon. I wasn’t very impressed, to tell the truth. It was good enough to finish, but I don’t feel the need to read the next book in the series. The characters were likable, but the writing style was borderline juvenile. She repeats things too many times and it almost seems like she wrote it in chunks and then didn’t go back to reread and notice it. Otherwise it wasn’t bad. I think I’ll try another series of hers before I completely give up on her works.
shawn2024's review against another edition
5.0
I really enjoyed this first in series. I look forward to reading the rest!
kimdavishb's review against another edition
5.0
I was beyond excited when I found out Lynn Cahoon was coming out with a new series. I’ve always loved her Tourist Trap Mystery series and knew whatever she wrote, I’d enjoy. A STORY TO KILL, the first book in the Cat Latimer Mystery series, did not disappoint and oh my, what a ride this new book takes you on! She provides such interesting characters and I loved the two elderly romance writing sisters, who made me laugh from their dialog and antics. The author creates vivid beautiful settings that make me want to visit the area. Her mysteries had me turning pages long into the night, wishing the second book was here already! Lynn knows how to pull you into her characters’ lives and I enjoyed the peek into the life of a writer as portrayed through Cat. In addition to a great mystery, there is a theme of letting go of past betrayals and giving love a second chance. I really can't wait for the next book in this series!
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
littletaiko's review
2.0
Hard to pinpoint why this one didn't work for me. The main character was interesting enough and I liked the idea of a writer's retreat. There just seemed to be a whole lot of nothing happening, well besides lots of anguishing whether she had the hots for the handyman or not. Maybe I just wasn't in the right frame of mind.
aspygirlsmom_1995's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
jbarr5's review against another edition
4.0
A Story to Kill
Sounded like a good mystery story. Starts out with Cat, a professor who now wants to write books acquires her ex husbands house. She moves into it, in the town where she grew up, fixes it up to be a writers retreat. Her ex boyfriend is the handyman and others think he's hot.
She has many resources at the nearby college and the writers are able to use them. One important writer attends but after one day he's found dead. Her uncle the police chief helps to find out what happened.
Few characters and it's easy to keep them straight with one another.
Strange noises from the attic and nobody is there and her ex's journal shows up on the porch...
So many secrets, so many mysteries that all combine to make a good read. Amazing how it all comes to an end with answers. Excerpt from the next book is included at the end.
I received this book from The Kensington Books in exchange for my honest review
Sounded like a good mystery story. Starts out with Cat, a professor who now wants to write books acquires her ex husbands house. She moves into it, in the town where she grew up, fixes it up to be a writers retreat. Her ex boyfriend is the handyman and others think he's hot.
She has many resources at the nearby college and the writers are able to use them. One important writer attends but after one day he's found dead. Her uncle the police chief helps to find out what happened.
Few characters and it's easy to keep them straight with one another.
Strange noises from the attic and nobody is there and her ex's journal shows up on the porch...
So many secrets, so many mysteries that all combine to make a good read. Amazing how it all comes to an end with answers. Excerpt from the next book is included at the end.
I received this book from The Kensington Books in exchange for my honest review
booklover1974's review against another edition
DNF at 24 %%.... not. my cup of tea.
life1sg00d's review against another edition
2.0
I kept stopping and starting reading this book because I found it extremely boring. I've read all of her other series which I love. I would read a few chapters and put it down read another book and then pick it up again. I could not tell if the main character was 8 or 100 years old. The supporting characters are good. The last 10 chapters were good but getting there .....