This is one of my favorite cozy series and this next in series proves to be very exciting. Clair has moved into her ex husbands Victorian house after his death to open a writer's retreat. When her group arrives a mystery immediately takes place when a murder occurs. Cait is swept up in clues, a stalker and mysteriously strange occurrences. A local college has a mystery of its own and missing books enter into this wonderful sleuth.
Thus is a outstanding mystery with a very well crafted sleuth. I found the characters all perfectly crafted to the story . The twist and turns of the sleuth kept this avid mystery reading to the last page. The unique setting and add in the beautiful home and the author has created the perfect mystery atmosphere . I love all the aspects of this mystery that captured this reader . This series is absolutely enthralling to the end. Well done. Thank you for the ARC which did not influence my review.

Fatality by Firelight is the second book in the Cat Latimer mystery series by Lynn Cahoon, and I enjoyed it even more than I did the first one. My fave characters all returned (Cat, Shauna, Seth, Uncle Pete) and a whole new batch of retreaters show up for the week. Poor Cat. Maybe one day she’ll get a nice, boring, “normal” writers’ retreat but it’s probably not likely anytime soon. Not as long as Cahoon continues with the series lol.

This case takes several twists and turns, and just about the time I thought I had everything figured out… I didn’t. And then I did. And then I didn’t again. And then I did. But woven through the story is the mystery I’m most interested in – what really happened to Cat’s late ex-husband and what other clues has he left behind in their former house? I’m so loving this continuing story arc. It’s nice because the individual or “new” mysteries in each book are wrapped up by the end but this thread with her late ex-husband keeps getting more layered and more intriguing.

Bottom Line: Another terrific offering from Lynn Cahoon! You may not want to read it while you’re hungry though because you’ll find yourself craving all the delicious food cooked by Shauna. (Don’t ask me how I know this.) Well-plotted with engaging characters and a cozy setting, Fatality by Firelight is the perfect choice for a night in by the fire or a weekend escape.

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.)

This is the second book in the Cat Latimer cozy mystery series by Lynn Cahoon and she has delivered another whopper of a mystery in this book! Lynn Cahoon gives you everything you could ever want in a cozy mystery, an intriguing mystery with a sub-plot mystery, an ending twist that you never saw coming, a wonderful and realistic cast of characters, enough backstory to endear you to the character’s lives, and some romance. I loved the characters in this book even more than in the first book, which I didn’t think possible. The continued character development in this book is amazing; I know these are people I would want to be friends with! I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and could gush about so many elements that made this a fun book to read, but I don’t want to give away any nuggets. Go get it and experience Cat Latimer and the whole cast of great characters!

This is the kind of mystery any writer should enjoy. It should also appeal to college and university employees. The concept of a college being considered a "safe place" for educating the children of mobsters is certainly different, and it adds a bit of zing to the plot. The development of the characters I got to know in the previous book and the growth in their relationships left me looking forward to Cat's next adventure as a retreat host and writer.

Fatality by Firelight

by Lynn Cahoon

Fatality by Firelight, the second book in the Cat Latimer Mystery Series, is appealing in so many ways, but primarily because it is an all round good mystery with twists and turns and abundant surprises. I had many interruptions during my reading of this book, but I was always anxious to return to the story and I always remembered where I had left off. Both signs of a good book.

The main character is Catherine (Cat) Latimer, a young, widowed, former professor. Her ex-husband’s apparent betrayal and death form an underlying mystery that ties in with strange current occurrences. Other important folks you’ll meet are Shauna, Cat’s longtime friend turned business partner and chef for the retreat, and Seth, Cat’s high school sweetheart who has entered her life again and also has a major role in the writers’ retreat.

The book deviates from a typical cozy in two ways. Although Cat does want to solve the mysteries that present themselves to her, that is not her main mission in life. She is a writer and tries to pay for upkeep on a Victorian mansion she inherited by hosting a weeklong writers’ retreat once a month. The other deviation is the male romantic interest in the book. Usually that role is filled by some type of legal professional--a sheriff, detective, private investigator, etc. No so in Fatality by Fire. There are attractive men in her life, but her legal connection comes in the form of her Uncle Pete, a likable and supportive college town police chief.

I recommend this book for its plot with mysteries on two levels, its snowy Colorado setting, some quirky characters who attend the retreat, and its writer’s theme which is appealing to readers. Fatality by Firelight delivers an interesting story, a strong female lead, and a dose of humor as a bonus.

I would like to extend my thanks to netgalley.com and to Kensington Books for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Rating: 5/5

Category: Mystery

Notes: Second book in series, but worked well as a standalone

Publication: February 28, 2017--Kensington Books

Memorable Lines:

No matter what kind of turmoil Cat was experiencing in her real life, typically writing made her forget everything and concentrate of the story.
[talking about a writer’s retreat] ...the magic is in the process, not the accommodations or the distance you travel from home.

Okay, so this was all conjecture, but that was her job. As a fiction writer, she filled in holes, and this story had more holes than a pasta strainer.

“Well, you know what they say: if it doesn’t kill you, and you're an author, you use it in a book.”

This is a great book; this is the second book in the Cat Latimer Mystery series written by Lynn Cahoon. This is a great book with a wonderful story and well developed characters. This book will keep you reading long into the night. If you are looking for a great book, then you need to read this book. I am looking forward to reading the next book by this great author. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader’s copy of this book. The free book held no determination on my personal review.

This is the second book in the Cat Latimer Mystery Series and it does not disappoint. This book quickly drew me in and kept me glued to the pages. With the second session of the writer's retreat in full swing, Cat is faced with someone stealing valuable manuscripts from the college library, a guest with a stalker, secrets, murder, and a possible ghost.. Cat puts on her sleuthing hat to try and figure out what is going on.

This is a wonderfully written murder mystery. The story has many layers that are slowly peeled away to reveal the story. The characters are complex, interesting and likable, even the "bad guys." I was kept on the edge of my seat wondering what was going to happen next. There are several surprises, and plenty of twists that kept me guessing. I look forward to reading more in this series.

I received a copy of this manuscipt from the publisher via NetGalley, my review has been voluntarily submitted.

I absolutely love Cat Latimer and her mystery series is becoming one of my favorites. Fatality by Firelight is wonderfully written and continues into the mysterious death of Cat's ex-husband Michael. Cat, her boyfriend Seth, business partner Shauna and her Uncle Pete, Winter Spribg's Sheriff help solve another writer's retreat murder and mystery. A few well known secrets about Covington College are revealed. Delve into the latest Cat Latimer Mystery to learn all of Winter Springs and Covington College's secrets and to find out what exactly had Michael gotten himself involved in.

I've been reading Cahoon's Tourist Trap series since the beginning and it just seems to be getting stronger and I'm thrilled to see that seems to be the case with the Cat Latimer series as well! While I enjoyed the first book in this series Cat, Shauna and their writing retreat really seems to be hitting their stride in this second book full of theft and murder where just about everyone is a suspect! I love getting the little tidbits about the writing retreat and the writing process and I would absolutely love to explore Cat's Victorian house. It sounds amazing! The mysteries - the stolen book and the murder - were puzzling. Just as I thought I had something figured out a new twist would appear and I'd be back to square one! I did feel like one aspect of the book involving the college and the death of Cat's ex-husband came a little out of left field though I'm curious to see how that gets woven into future books. While most mysteries are standalones the subplot involving Cat's ex-husband's death may be a little confusing to those that didn't read the first book. Don't let that stop you though - A Story to Kill is a fun mystery as well!. My one piece of advice - don't read this on an empty stomach because just the mention of some of Shauna's ymmy treats (especially the banana bread waffles) will have you wanting to snack! If you enjoy a fun cozy mystery and like reading about the writing process than this is a book and a series that I think you'd really enjoy!

Writers retreats are not spent writing. Even though the writers are a mix of romance, historical, poet, etc., they all add up to a cozy mystery. Many references to the previous retreat's troubles and this one has its own. A little bit of everything is included: murder, attempted murder, kidnapping, stalking, theft, romance, food, mafia, and more.

Fatality by Firelight by Lynn Cahoon is the second book in A Cat Latimer Mystery series. Cat Latimer is welcoming a new group of writers to her second writer’s retreat in Aspen Hills, Colorado. After inheriting the beautiful Victorian from her ex-husband, Michael, Cat turned the home into the Warm Springs Writers Retreat. On the first full day of the retreat Cat and her boyfriend, Seth (he is also the handyman) take the writers up the mountain for a day of skiing. After enjoying the slopes, Cat and Seth enter the lodge to find the writers enjoying the bar. Christine, one of her guests, is in a clench on the sofa with local, Tommy Neil. It will not go well for Tommy when his fiancé, Brit finds out. Upon arriving back home, Cat tries to warn Christine, but she does not wish to listen (feels he is the one). The next day the group tours the local library. When they are finished, Christine takes off with Tommy. Cat is awoken in the middle of night by the arrival of her Uncle Pete, Chief of Police. Tommy was found murdered and the last person seen with him was Christine. Christine is not in her room, but she soon stumbles in cold, crying and with blood on her top. Christine insists that Tommy was alive when she left. Cat does not see Christine as a killer and starts asking questions around town. In addition to the murder, Uncle Pete is investigating the theft of a signed Hemingway book stolen from the library (and the librarian is pushing him to find the book). Cat thought that writer’s retreats would be quiet and leave her plenty of time to write! Cat is in for a surprising week in Fatality by Firelight.

I thought that Fatality by Firelight was better than A Story to Kill (the first book in the series). I found the story easy to read, nicely written, and it has a beautiful setting (I would like to visit). The book has far more going on in it than I summarized above. The romance between Seth and Cat is prominent in the book (just my personal opinion). Cat is not ready for a relationship with Seth. She has yet to resolve her feeling for her ex-husband, Michael. Cat needs to find out what really happened to Michael and why he pushed her away before she moves on with Seth. The storyline regarding Michael started in A Story to Kill and continues in Fatality by Firelight. The storyline of Michael shares the spotlight with the murder of Tommy Neil. I hope the author wraps up this particular storyline soon. I think it needs its own book (book three perhaps). I am curious, though, to see how the mob ties in with Michael's demise. I give Fatality by Firelight 3.5 out of 5 stars. I wish the mystery of Tommy Neil's death had been more challenging. I could identify the culprit early in the book (might as well have been a neon sign hanging over the killer's head). I am having a little trouble liking Cat. She is not happy with how much time she must spend interacting with her retreat guests. Cat did not realize how much time she would have to spend socializing and helping her guests. Cat seems to have formed the idea that guests would spend their time locked in their rooms writing or researching at the library (and Cat would spend her time writing in her attic office). It seems that Cat did not fully think out the idea of her retreats. Cat conscribes to what I call the “Scarlett O’Hara” theology. Tomorrow is another day. If you do not get it done today, there is always tomorrow. In Cat’s case, she hopes Shauna will do it for her. I am a fan of Shauna. She is more than a housekeeper and cook. Fatality by Firelight is best read after A Story to Kill. I will be reading the next book in A Cat Latimer Mystery series. I am curious to see what happened with Michael and what role Dante Cornelio (a handsome mob guy) will play in the next book.

I have really enjoyed this spinoff of the author's Tourist Trap series. This is the second book n the series and I want to visit this town in Colorado and stay at this retreat even though I am not a writer.

There are several mysteries happening in this series. The first is one that will be seen in probably all of the books until solved, what happened to Cat's ex-husband Michael. We gain a little more insight in this book as to what he might have been involved in or with whom.

The main mystery is the death of a local Lothario (or so he thinks) and of course one of the retreat visitors, Christina, was considered as the killer. She had some other issues back home and that seemed to add to the issue. It wasn't a huge surprise who the killer was because this character was a bit odd/suspicious to me. I also did figure out another aspect having to do with Christina's issues back home.

I like seeing Cat and Seth's relationship continue. However, there is the introduction of Dante, that while it isn't likely to become a love triangle, he does seem to be actively pursuing Cat. And how exactly does Dante fit into the story about her ex-husband? Only future books will tell us I think!

Overall great book and can't wait to read more.

Gliding down the slopes...blazing fires in the fireplace...the crunch of snow underfoot...steaming mugs of hot cocoa...the dead body in the hot tub - only Lynn Cahoon could make snowy Colorado a hot destination, even in the depths of winter! With several mysteries woven into one fast-paced plot, I was glued to the book until the very last page. I loved the action-packed plot - Stalkers! Murders! Kidnapping! Booknapping! *gasp* - all with so many twists and turns, it was like a cozy mystery slalom! The on-going mystery surrounding the death of Cat's ex-husband added a layer of intrigue and the mysterious stranger added a bit of spice to shake up Cat's comfortable life.

All in all, Fatality by Firelight is a thoroughly enjoyable and well-crafted mystery guaranteed to keep you guessing (and entertained!) While this book can be read as a standalone, I recommend reading the first in the series to get the full backstory about Cat's ex-husband (and because it's a good book.)

The second book in the Cat Latimer Mystery series by Lynn Cahoon is Fatality by Firelight. Cat runs the Warm Springs Writer's Retreat in Colorado. Once a month Cat and her friend, Shauna, open the doors to a new set of writers and provide meals, encouragement, and seminars. Unfortunately one of their romance authors breaks from the pack and spends time with a local who winds up dead. Cat must work with her uncle, who is the sheriff, to solve the mystery before her retreat's reputation is ruined. The mystery portion was good. I do wish Cat would not have spent half of the book complaining about dealing with the retreat guests. I could empathize the first time. By the tenth time she came across as whining and annoying. The series would be greatly improved if Cat would embrace the life she has chosen.

**This review will post to my blog at www.myinterdimensionalchaos.blogspot.com on March 7th. I will post a link to the blog post here once it goes live. The review has already posted to Goodreads.**

The Cat Latimer Mystery series continues with book #2, Fatality by Firelight. Cat is still renovating the large Victorian house she inherited from her ex-husband into a writers' retreat bed and breakfast. Her first retreat was a success, even though one of the guests was murdered. Hopeful that this next retreat will be less murderous, Cat starts the event with a ski trip to a local resort. The day ends with a dead man in a ski resort hotel room and one of her retreat guests a suspect in his murder. It seems Cat's second writers' retreat also has murder on the agenda. Not only is her Uncle, the local police chief, investigating the murder at the ski resort, but Cat discovers more information about the death of her ex-husband, Michael.

I enjoy the Cat Latimer series because it is a bit more realistic than most cozy series. It touches on sex, murder and other topics with more realism but without becoming graphic. Cat is an excellent main character. She is torn between wanting to start her life over again and not being ready to close the part of her life she shared with her ex-husband, Michael. The Victorian house is comforting and distressing for her at the same time. She has a hard time living in the house she shared with her first husband, but at the same time loves the writers' retreats and the business she is building in it. The mystery portion of the plot was well-paced and more complex than in the first book. Cat also discovers some new information about her ex-husband's death. I'm anxious for book 3 to find out what direction her investigation into Michael's death will go.

Fatality by Firelight is an intriguing mystery with several suspects, interesting subplots and characters. It isn't necessary to read the books in order. A reader could jump in at book 2 and fully understand the story and characters. I definitely recommend this book and series to mystery lovers! It was a fun, quick read!

Lynn Cahoon also writes the Tourist Trap Mystery series. For more information on the author and her books, check out her website at http://www.lynncahoon.com/

**I voluntarily read an Advance Readers Copy of this book from Kensington via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.**

Fatality by Firelight by Lynn Cahoon is the second book in her Cat Latimer series and continues to reveal more about Aspen Falls, Cat's home town, and the writers retreats that she offers in her bed and breakfast.

I enjoyed learning more about Cat, Shauna, Seth and Uncle Pete in this book. The plot is smoothly paced and there were several surprises as a new murder occurs involving one of her writer retreat guests and a local bad boy. Murder, stalking, attempted kidnapping and an eclectic group of writers created a cozy mystery that was difficult to put down. More of the secondary mystery involving Cat's ex-husband, Michael, is revealed. A new character is also introduced in this book, Dante Cornelio, who has sinister "family" connections. Cat also learns that Covington College also has those connections which is quite a shock to Cat. Ms. Cahoon does not disappoint with this second installment.

Love all of Lynn Cahoons books. The Warm Springs Writer retreats feature Cat, Shauna, Seth and Uncle Pete. Each book has a continuing mystery plus one mystery per book.
Goodreads

I really enjoyed the second book in this series! It is fast becoming one of my favorite mystery series. In this book, Cat and her friends welcome the second set of writers to the week long writer get away. Cat is really hoping that this one runs smoother than the first one. But she soon learns that that is not the case and someone has again gotten murdered. Add that to a stolen Hemingway and things she learns about her town and college, Cat has got her hands full. Not to mention that she still isn't convinced that there isn't more to her ex husband's death.
I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book provided by NetGalley.

I love this series! You'll definitely want to read the books in order since part of the story is continued from the first book. Both storylines in it are really well-written, and I can't wait for the next one.