Lovely book. great storyline and plot. will be off to read the 1st in the series. the characters were interesting and i thoroughly enjoyed the book

Fatality by Firelight was an intriguing mystery from the beginning until the end. I really enjoyed the further development of Cat's character, as well as the continued exploration of her relationship with Seth. I didn't really like the Shauna character as much in this book. The author kind of made her less likeable this time around. Hopefully that'll change in the next book. I really look forward to seeing what happens next with Cat and the other characters.

. This fast-paced drama immediately pulled me in and quickly became a page turner. It’s good to be back with Cat and her friends in small town Aspen Hills, Colorado. The mystery was well done keeping me immersed in all that was happening as suspect after suspect were unmasked making this an intriguing ride as the clues presented narrowed that pool of suspect until there was one left standing. And those twists and turns. . .nice touch. Cat’s interaction with the various casts is an added bonus as each contributes to how well this story is executed. The author does a great job with character development, setting the murder stage and providing engaging dialogue that put me in the middle of all the action, as I wanted to be at the table sipping a mug of hot chocolate with Cat, Shauna, Seth and Uncle Pete. With the murder, the library theft, the situation with her ex-husband’s death and her blossoming relation, this was an enjoyable read and I look forward to reading the next book in this delightfully endearing series.

Princess Fuzzypants here:
Cat Latimer is back with her best friend Shauna, her boyfriend Seth and her uncle the town fuzz. She also has a new crew of writers who are attending her retreat. Wouldn't you know, first night there and one of them has already stumbled upon the town bad boy who is murdered just after he tried to have his "evil way" with her.
She is quickly eliminated from the suspect pool but it becomes apparent she is a magnet to trouble and may have caused the murder inadvertently.
It is an interesting group of people at the retreat who add interest to the story. There is also a dishy mobster who "rescues" Cat and shows signs of wanting to get to know her better, much to the chagrin of Seth and her uncle. What he may have is the answer to the question of why her ex-husband was murdered. Cat learns Michael may have betrayed her to keep her away and safe from the dangers that ended his life.
The characters are fascinating enough and the story well enough written that the reader can be forgiven for finding the ultimate reveal of the villain is predictable.
I still enjoyed the book and gladly give it four purrs and two paws up.

Fatality By Firelight
Cat Latimer Mystery, Book #2
Lynn Cahoon
5 Stars

Synopsis:

Cat Latimer’s Colorado bed-and-breakfast plays host to writers from all over. But murder is distinctly unwelcome . . .

To kick off a winter writing retreat, Cat and her handyman boyfriend, Seth, escort the aspiring authors to a nearby ski resort, hoping some fresh cold air will wake up their creative muses. But instead of hitting the slopes, they hit the bar—and before long, a tipsy romance novelist named Christina is keeping herself warm with a local ski bum who might have neglected to tell her about his upcoming wedding.

Next thing Cat knows, her uncle, the town sheriff, informs her that the young man’s been found dead in a hot tub—and Christina shows up crying and covered in blood. Now, between a murder mystery, the theft of a rare Hemingway edition, and the arrival of a black-clad stranger in snowy Aspen Hills, Cat’s afraid everything’s going downhill . . . (Goodreads)


Review:

The characters are well developed and well rounded. Cat is a hard worker and not afraid to take chances. She is also loyal to her friends. She really does not like mingling with people, so I find that she is running the writer’s retreat interesting and kind of ironic. She would rather being writing than socializing. Shauna, her friend and coworker at the bed and breakfast, tries to keep Cat on track and watch out for her. I enjoyed reading about their interactions and friendship. I also enjoyed reading how Seth, Cat’s handiman and boyfriend, and Cat’s relationship progressed.

The main mystery was carried out well throughout the entire book. There were enough suspects and enough twists and turns to keep this reader guessing. Throw in a few red herrings and it was nearly impossible to figure out the killer. There continues to be a mystery that is on-going: what was Cat’s deceased ex-husband, Michael, up to before he passed away? What did his research include and who is the stranger that has shown up in town and what does he have to do with Michael?

The author is very talented in her character development, the setting, and the mysteries. I felt like I was right there watching all the activity going on around me and hearing the conversations first hand. Because the theme revolves around the bed and breakfast writer’s retreat there are many different people to meet and many different crimes that can be committed. The writing style flows smoothly and the book is an easy read.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. This is the second book in this series that I have read, and I enjoyed them both a lot. Be sure to check them out.

I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a honest review. I would like to thank NetGalley and Kensington Books for the opportunity to read and review this book.

My rating: 3 of 5 stars, I liked it.

I am enjoying this series. The Colorado setting, the writer's retreats, the main mystery, I loved it. The writing is tight, the characters are well developed and mostly likeable.

What I am not loving is the secondary plot-line that is dragging on and dragging more people in. I am not a fan of "To Be Continued" in anything. In the first book, it was a bit more subtle. With book 2, it's as much a part of the book as the current murder and I am not liking that so much. I would really like to see it given its own book and wrapped up so Cat can move on.

As a result, I just can't give this book more than a 3 star rating. I liked it, but I didn't love it. I am still looking forward to reading book 3 in the series.

A writer writing about a writer who hosts writing workshops is a recipe for a perfect mystery! This second installment in the Cat Latimer Mystery series had it all, tension, humor, interesting characters, and a well flowing story. You cant help but want the main character, Cat, to succeed in her writer's retreats and to be able to completely heal. The supporting characters add just the right mix to the story to keep it interesting. The main mystery in the book had just the right amount of twists and turns to keep it interesting. I am so glad the writer added on to the mystery surrounding the death of Cat's ex husband and all the questions that it adds. Overall this was an enjoyably mysterious installment to a series that is quickly becoming one of my favorites.

Back into the world of the Warm Springs Writers' retreat, housed in the old Victorian that was left to Cat Latimer. She is herself a writier of a YA witchy series and when her ex-husband died, leaving her the house, it's what she wants to do. Provide a place where writers can enjoy the Colorado scenery and be inspired to write.

The group this week is a diverse bunch. A poet, a nonficton author, a romance writer and a history writer. With the local college providing library resources and the ski slopes just up the hill, it's the perfect spot for inspiration

Our story begins with the theft of a rare Hemingway book from the library. Cat's Uncle Pete, the local law, is keeping an eye on the houseguests, as he should because some of them are just a bit off.

When a body is found at the ski lodge and the last person seen with him is one of the guests, Cat puts on her detective hat and tries to get to the bottom of the crime. While at the same time, getting her own book written and still trying to figure out if there was more to her ex-husbands' death than meets the eye. And also who is this new handsome stranger showing up in town knowing her name.

Between Cat, Shauna and Seth they are sure to come up with some wild speculations and probably solve a crime!

We are loving the Cat Latimer mystery series. There are strong women here. They are just really interesting and good.

In Book Club this is one of our favorite series and one of our favorite cosy mystery writers! And it's not just the amazingly well described food, although that Shauna can cook something fierce. We always learn a little something too. The books leave us feeling warm and satisfied! Good Job Ms. Cahoon!

Thank you to Netgalley and Kensington for this early copy. Release Date is February 28, 2017

I wish I had read the first book in this series because there were a lot of call backs to the other story in this series. Otherwise, this was a perfectly fine book, though a bit convoluted in areas. A LOT of red herrings in this book.
This is the second writer's retreat that Cat Latimer is hosting in the house she lived in with her ex-husband, the house he surprisingly willed to her. During the last retreat, one of the writers (I'm guessing from the references) ended up dead. This retreat has its own share of problems, a famous Hemingway book being stolen from the library, one participant who has a stalker and is almost kidnapped, participants who don't seem fully invested in their writing, Cat finding out that her home town is a supposed "safe zone" for mob families to send their college-aged kids, a big mob guy hitting on her... There's a lot going on.
I would probably read the next book in this series if some of the "over-arching" stories start moving a little faster.

Three stars
This book comes out February 28

I just finished this exciting book in this killer series by Lynn Cahoon.

As the group prepares for another writing retreat, winter storms, stolen books, a psycho stalker begin to interrupt the well laid plans.

Cat and Shauna make a great pair in this fantastic series.
I felt as if I was there at the retreat, drinking hit chocolate and sharing a meal with Seth and Uncle Pete.
I can't wait to read the next one in this series.

I voluntarily read an ARC of this book provided by the publisher via NetGalley.

Love this series!!! I had to pace myself so I wouldn't finish it too soon because then I have to wait for #3. The characters are wonderful, the mystery is engaging and resolved in a satisfactory manner. I really wish the Warm Springs Retreat was a real place -I'd love to visit- well, minus the murders.

I finished Fatality by Firelight, the second in the Cat Latimer Mystery series by Lynn Cahoon. Oh boy is it great! So intriguing. I have often thought about how cool it would be to go on an actual writing retreat, I mean what could possibly go wrong? Lynn captures the magic and anticipation of the ideal writing retreat with her large Victorian Colorado Retreat. This book was not only easy to picture and feel like you were a part of but it had so many moments where I thought to myself, "Oh wow, that did not just happen" or the "No way!" thoughts I had in my head as I was reading. Was I emotionally invested in this book? Yes I was. I swear this book breathes it felt so real and all the mentions of the hot soups, cookies and food being prepared was an added bonus. Lynn has won me over with this series and I hope she will win you over too! This one is out February 28th and is one worth pre ordering for sure!

Fatality by Firelight is the second installment in the Cat Latimer Mystery series featuring Catherine "Cat" Latimer. Cat is looking forward to hosting the second Warm Spring's Writer's retreat at her home in Aspen Hills, Colorado and with help from best friend Shauna, who serves as the house manager and chef she is hopeful that it will turn out better than the first.

The participants in this month's retreat head to the nearby ski resort with Cat and her boyfriend Seth Howard. While Cat and Seth enjoy a day on the slopes they discover the writers spent the day in the bar, the young and naïve Christina Powers hooking up with bad boy Tommy Neil. Tommy has neglected to mention that he is engaged to local bartender, Brit and when he turns up dead in the hotel hot tub it's really no surprise.

With the help of Shauna, Seth and her Uncle Pete, who happens to be Aspen Hill's Police Chief, Cat works to clear Christina's name. In addition to solving the murder, the group is also trying to find out who is stealing valuable books from Covington Library, which leads Cat to discover that Covington College has served as the learning institution for "mob" kids for generations.

The secondary plotline of the series continues in this installment with Cat trying to discover what ex husband and the now deceased Michael had been up to prior to his death. Clues begin to surface regarding the focus of Michael's research and with the arrival of the mysterious Dante Cornelio in town, Cat is even more convinced that Michael didn't die a natural death.

This is a terrific, fast paced series with a well developed cast of characters. The mystery surrounding Cat's ex husband will keep readers anxiously awaiting to see if the next installment will offer even more clues.

I received an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley via Kensington Books. While not required to write a review I am more than happy to offer my honest opinion.

Fatality by Firelight is the second book in Lynn Cahoon’s Cat Latimer Mystery series and is a well-written story, with well-developed characters, that moves along at a steady pace. The book is an easy read and Ms. Cahoon’s writing style flows smoothly and she provides good background information about the characters. The characters are relatable and there are enough twists, turns, and suspects to hold a reader’s attention. This is a clean cozy mystery featuring no gratuitous sex or violence. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading a well-crafted cozy mystery. I’m looking forward to reading the next book in this series.

Author Catherine ‘Cat’ Latimer, owner of Warm Springs Writer’s Retreat, and her best friend, cook, planner, and manager, Shauna Mary Clodagh, are hosting their second writer’s retreat, with five authors attending. Cat’s ex-husband, Michael, recently passed away and she inherited their house in the small college town of Aspen Hills, Colorado. In addition to writing advice, Cat provides use of Covington College’s library, and outings. The scheduled outing for this retreat is hitting the slopes at a nearby ski resort but Cat and Seth Howard, her high school sweetheart and current boyfriend, who is also the handyman helping with renovations and transporting guests, are the only ones to hit the slopes. Cat and Seth find the authors in the resort’s bat and one of the authors, Christina Powers, is making out with Tommy Neil, who ‘forgot’ to tell her that he’s engaged. Cat’s Uncle Pete is Aspen Hills’ Police Chief and is dealing with a case involving a rare book that was stolen from the Covington College library but when Tommy is found stabbed to death in a hot tub at the ski resort; he visits Warm Springs wanting to question Christina. Cat continues to try to come to terms with Michael’s death and the mystery surrounding him.

I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it.

This second book in the series does not disappoint.
I really enjoy this series. The characters are realistic and the setting of the book retreat is a place I'd love to visit.
The whodunit was well written and I could not put the book down.
I look forward to reading the next in the series. I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

I am a big fan of Lynn Cahoon's Tourist Trap series so I was interested to learn that she had started a new set of mysteries and, having read the latest Cat Latimer book, I am now a big fan of this series as well. Cat is the proprietor of a writer's retreat and as such the book gives you a compelling insight into the life of writers. Cat is a strong, independent woman and the book features a relatable cast of characters who are fun and quirky and they give depth to the world that they author has created. The author has also created an interesting mystery and has done a great job of weaving clues throughout the story along with some red herrings to throw the reader off balance. I am eagerly awaiting the next book in this series.