47) Tea Cups and Carnage by Lynn Cahoon

The Blurb :

The quaint coastal town of South Cove, California, is all abuzz about the opening of a new specialty shop, Tea Hee. But as Coffee, Books, and More owner Jill Gardner is about to find out, there’s nothing cozy about murder . . .

Shop owner Kathi Corbin says she came to South Cove to get away from her estranged family. But is she telling the truth? And did a sinister someone from her past follow her to South Cove? When a woman claiming to be Kathi’s sister starts making waves and a dead body is found in a local motel, Jill must step in to clear Kathi’s name—without getting herself in hot water.

My Thoughts :

The Tourist Trap Mysteries have been a favourite of mine since I came across the first one a couple of years ago.  It is one of those series that doesn't leave you waiting around for a year until a new installment comes along and has a lovely variety of characters that you look forward to visiting again.
Tea Cups and Carnage is the seventh book in the series and although the murder mystery in this book is a little weak and distant, it was still interesting enough to keep me reading.  However there could be no murder mystery and I would of still kept reading because I just love the location, people and general feel of everything else in the series.

The series is well written and interesting but the mystery solving is getting a little too distant.  I understand that Jill is supposed to stay out of things, which she actually does pretty well, but I wouldn't mind her getting a little bit more involved or even see her relationship gather some speed.  All the characters are nice and all play their parts well.  It is always fun to see where the story is taking them too.

I am really enjoying this series and can't wait to see what happens next.  Things are constantly evolving in the town of South Cove and I look forward to every visit.  The lack of waiting is definitely a positive factor for this series and always keeps the people and previous stories fresh in my mind.  I can always jump straight into a Tourist Trap Mystery without feeling lost or confused.  No need to try and remember anything.  It is all there because the last installment wasn't that long ago.

15) Murder on Wheels by Lynn Cahoon

The Blurb :

The food truck craze has reached the charming coastal town of South Cove, California, but before Jill Gardner—owner of Coffee, Books, and More—can sample the eats, she has to shift gears and put the brakes on a killer . . .

Now that Kacey Austin has got her new gluten-free dessert truck up and running, there’s no curbing her enthusiasm—not even when someone vandalizes the vehicle and steals her recipes. But when Kacey turns up dead on the beach and Jill’s best friend Sadie becomes the prime suspect, Jill needs to step on it to serve the real killer some just desserts.

My Thoughts :

This series is turning out to be such a great read!  Six books into the series and I am really hooked.  I love the characters and the setting plus the mysteries are always really interesting.  Another huge plus is that the author/publisher doesn't make you wait a year for a new installment.  With a new book every six months the Tourist Trap Mysteries are turning into one of my favourite cozy mystery series.

This time around the food van comes back into play and there is a bit of geocaching and some drought problems.  As things progress it was nice to find the regulars continuing their story while murder and mystery once again surrounds them.   There were some new developments with Jill's aunt and the workers in the bookstore with a few other little bits and pieces of storyline popping up here and there.

There are a couple of things about this series that I am wondering about.  For one I hope the whole Misson Wall thing gets cleared up soon.  I am beginning to think that the author doesn't know what to do with  that storyline.  Then the relationship between Jill and Greg has also raised many questions for me.  They spend so much time at her place but he doesn't have a key.  They never spend any time at his place and it isn't mentioned.  I wonder if this is going to get resolved.  After all he wants to have a gym in her shed but they aren't totally committed to each other.  It is all a little weird and contradicting but maybe that is how it works for them and that's ok too.

Definitely a series worth investing time in.  A great strong concept with some really good mysteries so far.  I look forward to the next one and hope this series gets a nice long run.

85) Killer Run by Lynn Cahoon

The Blurb :

Jill Gardner—owner of Coffee, Books, and More—has somehow been talked into sponsoring a 5k race along the beautiful California coast. The race is a fundraiser for the local preservation society—but not everyone is feeling so charitable…

The day of the race, everyone hits the ground running…until a local business owner stumbles over a very stationary body. The deceased is the vicious wife of the husband-and-wife team hired to promote the event—and the husband turns to Jill for help in clearing his name. But did he do it? Jill will have to be very careful, because this killer is ready to put her out of the running…forever!

My Thoughts :

I am a little behind on my review book reading and didn't get around to this one before it released.  However I have to admit I got myself a little confused.  It felt like only last month when I read the previous installment in the Tourist Trap Mysteries and thought this one wasn't due for release yet.  For some reason I was sure this was a November release and of course it actually came out last week.  So apologies to lovely publishers and author.

Killer Run is the fifth installment in the Tourist Trap Mysteries and once again South Cove has a murder to solve.  Of course that isn't the only thing going on and within a few chapters there is enough plot and intrigue to have you addicted and in for the long stretch.  Jill's sleuthing isn't too over the top and her life is a nice steady stream of friends and Aunt.  All the characters are like family now and I really enjoying my trips to the beach town even if there seems to be a lot of criminal activity.

The mystery this time around was just as good as the previous books.  However this time I have to admit I guessed who the killer was quite early on.  How Jill didn't put two and two together was a little annoying but then again she was busy with a lot of things and even I got a little confused now and again.  Murder, vandalism, food truck, ill people, book clubs, decorating and a race are just a few of the things going on in Jill's life this time around.

All in all Killer Run was another great read in this series that is well worth reading.  As cozies go this is a nice one, well thought out, interesting and a lovely cast of characters with a great location.  You really start to feel at home in South Cove after the first two books and now with book five I feel like part of the furniture.  As long as there are more Tourist Trap Mysteries to read I will be reading them.

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70) Dressed to Kill by Lynn Cahoon

The Blurb :

Jill Gardner—owner of Coffee, Books, and More in the tucked-away town of South Cove, California—is not particularly thrilled to be portraying a twenties flapper for the dinner theater murder mystery. Though it is for charity…

Of course everyone is expecting a “dead” body at the dress rehearsal…but this one isn’t acting! It turns out the main suspect is the late actor’s conniving girlfriend Sherry…who also happens to be the ex-wife of Jill’s main squeeze. Sherry is definitely a master manipulator…but is she a killer? Jill may discover the truth only when the curtain comes up on the final act…and by then, it may be far too late.

My Thoughts :

It is way too hot to do anything here in Vienna.  Even too hot to read!  However I have managed to concentrate and keep cool enough to read this fourth book in the Tourist Trap Mysteries.  I actually planned on reading this book weeks ago before it actually released but as I mentioned before, with the end of the school year comes a lot of work and things have been busy.

Anyway, Dressed to Kill is the fourth and latest installment in the Tourist Trap Mysteries but I have to say from the get go that it wasn't the best of the bunch so far.  It was a good read and the ongoing plot saw some development but all in all the mystery wasn't as exciting as the previous books in the series.

I am not sure what made me enjoy this book less than the previous ones but maybe it was a combination of little things.  For instance things started off a little confusing.  I actually though I had missed a book because things seemed to jump to a whole new shop being opened.  Which led to the whole Sherry thing which is seriously getting old.  So Jill's guy has an ex-wife who is a royal pain in the backside? Have to say I don't really care about any of it.  There was too many characters to keep track of this time around.  In fact I am still not sure who 'did it' and why.  I lost track of that person and the plot by the end.

The Tourist Trap Mysteries (still unsure on why the books have been given this title) is a great cozy series with a hint of the supernatural hanging around in the air.  I like the location and characters but this time around I didn't find them to be as inviting as in the previous books.

Every series has a 'meh' book and I am hoping that Dressed to Kill is that book for this series.  I already have a copy of the fifth book and will be reading it as soon as possible.  Dressed to Kill hasn't put me off this nice cozy mystery series but it has got me wondering if the author will shine brighter in the next installment.

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128) If the Shoe Kills by Lynn Cahoon

The Blurb :

The tourist town of South Cove, California, is a lovely place to spend the holidays. But this year, shop owner Jill Gardner discovers there’s no place like home for homicide. . .
As owner of Coffee, Books, and More, Jill Gardner looks forward to the hustle and bustle of holiday shoppers.

But when the mayor ropes her into being liaison for a new work program, 'tis the season to be wary. Local businesses are afraid the interns will be delinquents, punks, or worse. For Jill, nothing’s worse than Ted Hendricks--the jerk who runs the program. After a few run-ins, Jill’s ready to kill the guy.

That, however, turns out to be unnecessary when she finds Ted in his car--dead as a doornail. Officer Greg assumes it’s a suicide. Jill thinks it’s murder. And if the holidays weren’t stressful enough, a spoiled blond wants to sue the city for breaking her heel. Jill has to act fast to solve this mess--before the other shoe drops. . .

My Thoughts :

I really enjoyed the first two books in the Tourist Trap Mysteries (even though I still don't understand why they gave the series that title....) but If the Shoe Kills wasn't up to par with the previous installments.  Maybe my expectations were too high but this one felt a little flat in comparison.  However there was still a good cozy in there with a good plot.  The characters were interesting and I really enjoy visiting South Cove but there was just something about this third book that didn't make it stand out like the others.

Everything in the story started out well and it was nice to have a new release that fit in with the current time of year.  Although I don't live in a land that celebrates Thanksgiving the talk of the holiday and upcoming Christmas holiday was actual and somehow welcoming.  I liked the charity theme and I hope that it encourages readers of this book to go donate something this Christmas.

What I can pinpoint as problems for me in this book was the fast ending.  The amount of detail and build-up in this nice read was suddenly over in a page.  I had to go back and read it again because I couldn't believe it was over already.  Jill's relationship with her detective has come a long way but I wasn't convinced that it is actually working.  While Jill's aunt and her moods are quite annoying.  She is overly dramatic and a distraction.

All in all I did like this book but it wasn't the best so far.  I am still enjoying the series and look forward to the next installment and can't wait to see what happens next.  I like Jill and all the other quirky residents of South Cove even though it has only been three books I feel like I have known them for years.  Well worth checking out if you are a cozy mystery lover!

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75) Mission to Murder by Lynn Cahoon

The Blurb :

In the California coastal town of South Cove, history is one of its many tourist attractions—until it becomes deadly…

Jill Gardner, proprietor of Coffee, Books, and More, has discovered that the old stone wall on her property might be a centuries-old mission worthy of being declared a landmark. But Craig Thomas, the obnoxious owner of South Cove’s most popular tourist spot, The Castle, makes it his business to contest her claim.

When Thomas is found murdered at The Castle shortly after a heated argument with Jill, even her detective boyfriend has to ask her for an alibi. Jill decides she must find the real murderer to clear her name. But when the killer comes for her, she’ll need to jump from historic preservation to self-preservation …

My Thoughts :

When I read the debut book in this series, Guidebook to Murder, I decided I wanted to keep track of the series and try the next installment.  So I was surprised to see it pop up for review.  After all the first installment only came out in April.  Usually you have to wait a year for another release in a series but the publisher/writer is being extremely kind to readers of The Tourist Trap Mysteries.

Now before I continue I have to repeat something I said in my review for Guidebook to Murder because I still don't get it.  Why is this series called 'Tourist Trap Mysteries'?  The series may take place in a seaside town where tourists may spend time but so far the tourists have not be a part of the story.   I wonder why nobody came up with a better name like 'The Coffee, Books & More Mysteries' or 'The South Cove Files' or something that actually has something to do with the plot/story.

Ok.  So my little ramble is over and I will continue this review by saying that the series may have a dumb title but it doesn't stop the contents from shining.  Where I thought the first installment was promising I found this sequel sealed the deal for me.  I will definitely be checking out the rest of the series as it is released.  There is something about Jill that makes me want to keep solving mysteries with her and the town and its various characters are engaging and interesting.  The plot is well thought out and the author has done a great job of keeping it exciting and not going over the top.

Guidebook to Murder had a few kinks but the author makes a great effort to iron them out in Mission to Murder.  There are little twists that are presenting themselves and giving the on-going story depth and something to get invested in.  The style is easy and light to read which is a joy compared to some mysteries that can really give you a headache.  I think the series is still, in some respects, in the development stage but so far there has been a good foundation laid to build on.

What makes me even happier to follow this series is that the third installment with release in Autumn already!  That means as each season comes along there is a new addition.  I don't know if this is going to be the trend for this series but it definitely makes a refreshing change.  I hate long waits between books in a series and so this one gets bonus points for rewarding the reader with something new more often.

Give this a try if you like a nice cozy mystery and take a chance on something that is new, a little different and welcoming.

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35) Guidebook to Murder by Lynn Cahoon

The Blurb :

In the gentle coastal town of South Cove, California, all Jill Gardner wants is to keep her store–Coffee, Books, and More–open and running. So why is she caught up in the business of murder?

When Jill’s elderly friend, Miss Emily, calls in a fit of pique, she already knows the city council is trying to force Emily to sell her dilapidated old house. But Emily’s gumption goes for naught when she dies unexpectedly and leaves the house to Jill–along with all of her problems. . .and her enemies.

Convinced her friend was murdered, Jill is finding the list of suspects longer than the list of repairs needed on the house. But Jill is determined to uncover the culprit–especially if it gets her closer to South Cove’s finest, Detective Greg King. Problem is, the killer knows she’s on the case–and is determined to close the book on Jill permanently.

My Thoughts :

I love cozy mysteries and am definitely in the cozy mood at the moment.  So apologies in advance if things get a little too cozy over here ;)

Guidebook to Murder caught my eye on Netgalley and I decided to give it a go.  With the leading lady owning a book/coffee shop I couldn't resist.  Plus the cover looked warm and inviting.  However right from the beginning the story managed to veer away from the bookstore.  It wasn't the main theme in the plot and it was only mentioned in passing.  The main location in this first in a new series is the house that Jill inherits from an elderly friend.  So if you are all hyped up on the book angle promised by the cover then maybe you will get some bookstore murder in the sequel because this one is more about home renovation that book selling.

But wait!  The location and theme may not be what I expected but in the end it didn't matter.  It was still a good cozy mystery and it turned out to be a great read.  I liked Jill, enjoyed getting to know the town and the people there, I thought the mystery was well thought out and exciting and the relationship between Jill and Greg was fun to read about.  Actually this book met all the cozy mystery requirements and despite being a little too over the top in some aspects (I thought all the inheritance/money aspect a little too easy peasy) I am very much looking forward to another installment.

So if you are looking for something new, look no further.  This cozy is worth the time.  Hopefully this series will continue to build some nice roots for Jill and also some interesting cases for her and Greg to get involved in.  Although I don't understand why the series is called 'Tourist Trap' but maybe that will become clear later down the line?  Didn't have much to do with tourists but I will be on the look out for the sequel.

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