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A review by katreader
A Story to Kill by Lynn Cahoon
4.0
A STORY TO KILL by Lynn Cahoon
The First Cat Latimer Mystery
Leaving California for Colorado, Cat Latimer has returned to the home she once shared with her husband. Surprised that her ex left the house to her when he died, Cat is nonetheless excited to start a new chapter in her life. Along her her best friend Shauna, Cat is converting the Victorian into a writer's retreat. Inheriting the house is only the first unexpected event for Cat. She soon discovers that the handyman Shauna hired is none other than her old flame. Not wanting to appear rattled at his appearance, Cat busies herself preparing for her first set of guests, which include a famous author. Life has more curve balls for Cat, however, as she discovers that her guests are not quite what she expected and that while one guest is a major fan girl another another has a major grudge against that famous author. Cat goes to his room in an attempt to warn him only to find his murdered body!
Lynn Cahoon has started a great series with interesting characters. The writing is crisp and taut, yet time is taken to develop the characters. I sense a huge back story with Shauna and I hope more will be revealed in future books. One of Cahoon's more interesting characters doesn't even appear in the book, Cat's ex-husband. Through comments both subtle and direct we get a somewhat conflicted image of the man. If he was just a womanizing heel who tired of marriage, why leave the house to Cat? As for the house, the wonderful thing about using it as a writer's retreat is the ever changing guest list, new characters to like and dislike. It's especially nice knowing the ones you dislike probably won't be return! This changing cast of characters make more viable suspects and bring fresh blood to the victim/murderer pool.
An interesting note about the Cat Latimer Mystery series is that the books let us glimpse into the real life of writers. We witness the alone time needed to write, the little things necessary for writers-certain snacks for example, and most importantly, the fact that generally authors can't survive solely on the income they earn from writing, Another source of income is generally needed to pay the bills.
While the mystery is complete in A STORY TO KILL, Cahoon sets the stage for future books with her open ending. Readers will be satisfied, yet left wanting more-to see just what Cat's ex got himself into! I had a great time delving into this world. A STORY TO KILL is a smart, well written mystery that left me with great expectations for the next chapter in the Cat Latimer Mystery series.
FTC Disclosure – The publisher sent me a copy of this book in the hopes I would review it.
The First Cat Latimer Mystery
Leaving California for Colorado, Cat Latimer has returned to the home she once shared with her husband. Surprised that her ex left the house to her when he died, Cat is nonetheless excited to start a new chapter in her life. Along her her best friend Shauna, Cat is converting the Victorian into a writer's retreat. Inheriting the house is only the first unexpected event for Cat. She soon discovers that the handyman Shauna hired is none other than her old flame. Not wanting to appear rattled at his appearance, Cat busies herself preparing for her first set of guests, which include a famous author. Life has more curve balls for Cat, however, as she discovers that her guests are not quite what she expected and that while one guest is a major fan girl another another has a major grudge against that famous author. Cat goes to his room in an attempt to warn him only to find his murdered body!
Lynn Cahoon has started a great series with interesting characters. The writing is crisp and taut, yet time is taken to develop the characters. I sense a huge back story with Shauna and I hope more will be revealed in future books. One of Cahoon's more interesting characters doesn't even appear in the book, Cat's ex-husband. Through comments both subtle and direct we get a somewhat conflicted image of the man. If he was just a womanizing heel who tired of marriage, why leave the house to Cat? As for the house, the wonderful thing about using it as a writer's retreat is the ever changing guest list, new characters to like and dislike. It's especially nice knowing the ones you dislike probably won't be return! This changing cast of characters make more viable suspects and bring fresh blood to the victim/murderer pool.
An interesting note about the Cat Latimer Mystery series is that the books let us glimpse into the real life of writers. We witness the alone time needed to write, the little things necessary for writers-certain snacks for example, and most importantly, the fact that generally authors can't survive solely on the income they earn from writing, Another source of income is generally needed to pay the bills.
While the mystery is complete in A STORY TO KILL, Cahoon sets the stage for future books with her open ending. Readers will be satisfied, yet left wanting more-to see just what Cat's ex got himself into! I had a great time delving into this world. A STORY TO KILL is a smart, well written mystery that left me with great expectations for the next chapter in the Cat Latimer Mystery series.
FTC Disclosure – The publisher sent me a copy of this book in the hopes I would review it.