This book starts with mystery author arriving in South Cove, California to write a novel and is welcomed by the town but doesn't seem to like mingling.  Unless it involves following around with Jill's boyfriend Greg and driving him nuts.  Of course that doesn't stop a murder from happening. When a owner of a local Bed and Breakfast winds up dead.  Who killed him and why?

Add this to Esmeralda looking for a child whose gone missing who everyone else assumes is dead but Jill's neighbor is adamant that the child is alive.  We also learn of changes happening in someone's life which is a surprise to say the least.  What will Jill and her staff do with the latest change?

I love this series it's such fun going back to South Cove and see what everyone is up to.  This book didn't disappoint Jill Gardner is working and going to college for another degree and is working with mystery author Nathan Pike to have him visit her store.  When a local bed and breakfast owner winds up dead everyone is curious to the murdered man and why someone would want to kill him.  It was a real ride to go on as various things were happening in this book.  I love the people of South Cove and seeing how the ride ends!  This is a book that won't disappoint and leads me to wonder where Ms. Cahoon will go from here!

It’s always fun spending time in South Cove, and I enjoyed my eighth visit there. By this time, most of the residents are old acquaintances. I was happy to see that Jill and Greg are finally discussing the next stage in their relationship. (It’s about time!) Aunt Jackie is softening her edges a little; Harrold is good for her. But I’m worried about her health. Things are changing on other fronts, too, with a new clock shop in town, and changes ahead for Sasha and Toby.

That said, the mysteries—a missing boy and a murdered B&B owner—didn’t feel like the focus of the book. Although the boy is missing from the start, and the murder occurs fairly early on, Jill doesn’t really get started on investigating until quite late in the story. The beginning and some of the middle are taken up with the concerns of her everyday life: her shop, Coffee, Books & More; studying for her business classes at a nearby university; and the fraught question of whether she and Greg should move in together. When there are developments in one or the other of the mysteries, they occur and Jill is involved or hears about it, rather than Jill actively investigating. On the one hand, that is more realistic and makes sense, given Jill’s personality and situation: she’s on the town’s business council; she’s the girlfriend of the town’s police detective; she lives across the street from the police secretary/dispatcher; and she’s best friends with someone who works in the mayor’s office. Naturally, in such a small town, she’s bound to hear about or be connected in some way to almost everything that takes place. And while she’s innately curious and a natural detective, she knows Greg doesn’t want her involving herself in his investigations, so she tries to hold back. Given the distractions of her daily life, I suppose she was more successful than usual this time. But it made for a somewhat lopsided mystery, with most of the clues and revelations coming toward the end.

Book 9 in the series, Killer Party, is due out in July. I hope Jill is a little more engaged in the mystery this time around, but I’ll be looking forward to it regardless. The Tourist Trap mysteries are light, cozy, and fun, a good choice for a hot summer afternoon.

Hospitality and Homicide by Lynn Cahoon is the latest installment in the Tourist Trap series and is a well-crafted cozy mystery. The author has good characters with great personality quirks, some you love and some you love to hate.

In Hospitality and Homicide there are two mysteries. A murder and a young boy who has gone missing without a clue after being shot out to sea on a sneaker wave. Town psychic/police dispatcher insists the young boy is still alive giving the family hope that is not shared by the police chief/boyfriend of the main character/sleuth, Jill.

I enjoyed this book. I plan to go back and read some of the others in the series, but the great thing is that even though I haven't read them all, they definitely are standalone books.

I was given this book by NetGalley in return for an honest review.

Jill is one heck of a character. Seriously, she grows in quality with each new mystery. And I love the suspect in this mystery even more than the last! That poor man, all he wanted to do was write mysteries, not live them. Jill of course knows she can handle the case, though unofficially.

What is amazing is that each mystery in this series feels fresh, this character has the ability to seem new each time to the reader, and keep them wanting more.

Princess Fuzzypants:here:
Change is in the air in South Cove and many of its inhabitants are grappling with some major decisions, Jill is trying to decide whether Greg should move in with her. It doesn't help that the entire town seems bent on making bet on whether it is yes or no and when either might occur. Her thought process is not helped by Sasha's announcement that she is moving out of town to pursue her dreams, leaving Tobey behind.
All the private chaos increases when a famous mystery author descends on the town to write and research, driving Greg and all the other police officers crazy. There is a murder that mimics the one the author has just written in his newest book and a young boy is swept out to sea by a rogue wave.
Change comes in the form of opening up minds and hearts. It is not easy or painless. It beats, however, the opposite: being trapped by past events that corrode the soul. It is the personal stories that have more impact than the mystery of the murder this time out. We've gotten to know these characters from previous book. Jill has become slightly less impulsive. In her investigations although even she admits she can walk blithely into danger.
So when she stumbles into the solution and is at risk, it is anticlimactic to the rest of the story. So if you are looking for an edge of the seat mystery filled with twists and turns, this may not be your choice. But if you enjoy the series, and I do, and you are interested in the characters' developments, it is a good summer/beach read. Go back and pick up the earlier books if you are new to the series. It will help with the enjoyment.
I give it four purrs and two paws up.

Because I love Lynn Cahoon's Cat Latimer cozy series, when I saw Hospitality and Homicide available for review, I jumped right on it. The book is #8 in the Tourist Trap Mystery Series, but as with most cozy series a reader can usually jump in mid-stream and still enjoy the story. I'm so glad I read this book! I just started a very challenging new job, and I'm really feeling the pressure. Today was my day off....I curled up on the couch with some awesome coffee and devoured this book from cover to cover!

Delightful!!!

I am definitely going to read the rest of this series!

The basics: Jill Garner runs her own business, Coffee, Books and More, in South Cove, CA. She is dating local hunky cop, Greg, and has many friends and associates around town. Mystery writer, Nathan Pike, is in town to do some signing events, research at the local police department (much to Greg's chagrin) and write. Things heat up in South Cove when a local B&B owner is found murdered in a gruesome way that mirrors a scene from Nathan's new book. As in most cozy mysteries, Jill decides to put her amateur sleuthing skills to the test and ferret out the murderer. Again, much to Cop boyfriend Greg's chagrin.

The plotline is pretty much standard cozy mystery. Shocking murder. Main character starts investigating for clues, even after multiple cautionary statements from local police. Trouble ensues. Killer discovered. Kiss Kiss. The end. :)

It wasn't the plot that made me like this book so much. I love the characters! Jill is independent, intelligent, and feisty. Her aunt is controlling, yet endearing. The employees at the coffee house are a bit stereotypical, but very likable. And the cop boyfriend isn't controlling or condescending....he's patient, intelligent and good at his job. Cahoon did not paint local law enforcement as bumbling idiots who needed assistance from a local businesswoman to solve a crime....but rather as hard-working cops trying to solve a case. Jill was providing extra information that she gleaned through talking to people, listening to gossip and being a bit sneaky. All in all, the characters, the setting, and the smooth flowing plot made this an excellent book to lose myself in on my day off.

I'm going to backtrack and read the first 7 books in this series. That should tide me over until Lynn Cahoon finishes another book. :) Book 3 in the Cat Latimer Series, Of Murder and Men, comes out this November. And book 9 in the Tourist Trap series, Killer Party, will be available this July!

I hadn't read the previous books in this series but that didn't stop me from being entertained by this one. It's a quick read (it's short) and typical of the cozy genre. I liked Jill, who is the epitome of the intrepid amateur. The setting is fun and the plot skips along. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

When author Nathan Pike comes to South Cove, CA to do a book signing and work on his book little did he know that his book would be part of a murder. Jill the book store owner loves solving puzzles and this murder is definitely one that even her cop boyfriend is having a hard time solving. Will Jill be able to figure out who did it or will she be the next victim.

First time reading this book and didn’t realize it was book 8. You can read this as a stand alone book and not feel lost. I enjoyed reading it and was sad to end this story. A fun read that you should pick up. I am now excited I can go back and read the entire series!

This is book 8 in this delightful series set in South Cove California. Each book is highly recommended and this book can be read as a stand alone. Jill is our protagonist who runs a coffee and book shop In the beauitfully described town of South Cove on the coast. In this next in series she is hosting a Author at her bookshop who is finishing his next novel. Soon a murder occurs and Jill steps in as a experienced sleuth. I always enjoy my return to South Cove. The Authors writing captures this reader through the last page. The sleuth is very well crafted with a surprise ending. I highly recommended Hospitality and Homicide for your reading enjoyment.

I have read almost every book in this series and have enjoyed seeing how the characters grow and their friendships become deeper with time. While this is book 8 I believe it works well as a standalone; however it’s such an enjoyable series, you shouldn’t miss any of the books.

The characters are an interesting and original group. They are fun, sometimes tease each other and are very caring—most of them are the kind of people I’d love to have as friends. I like the setting too. Imagine owning a coffee shop/bookstore like the main character Jill, and having your aunt Jackie, who is on top of things, if not a bit bossy, running it for you. Jill’s boyfriend Greg is a police Officer—which comes in handy because Jill likes to solve puzzles and sometimes gets in over her head while investigating the latest murder mystery. The author always neatly ties up the mystery in a way that is believable, and while there are some clues, I wasn’t positive who the guilty party was until near the end of the book.

I’m looking forward to the next in the series, and I hope the author never tires of writing about the fictional people who live in South Cove, California.

This is a great book; this is the eighth book in the Tourist Trap Mystery series written by Lynn Cahoon. Mystery author Nathan Pike checked into South Cove Bed & Breakfast to compose a compelling novel, not commit murder. But things get real when a rival B&B owner ends up exactly like the victim in his draft—undeniably dead. As Nathan prepares to complete his magnum opus behind bars, Jill’s the only one who can prove his innocence and deconstruct the plot of a twisted killer! 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 my 8th and Lynn Cahoon's Tourist Trap Mystery and in my opinion the primary mystery was in the shadows more than her previous novels. And that was really okay with me, because all the other "goings on" in the little coastal resort town of South Cove sets readers up for many new options as the series continues forward. This best part of the book for me was about the changes in relationships throughout the books and I don't want to spoil any surprises, so that's all I say. There are two mysteries to solve in this novel and I found the one involving a missing child more interesting than a dead B&B owner. The character growth and development in this novel is great even if the mysteries suffers a bit as a result. Well worth the read!

HOSPITALITY AND HOMICIDE, the eighth book in the Tourist Trap Mystery series by Lynn Cahoon, has plenty to keep the reader entertained: A young missing boy, a friend who seems to be going off the deep end, romance, and… a murdered bed & breakfast owner. Jill Gardner has her hands full juggling school while running her business Coffee, Books, and More. She is also trying to balance her relationship with her boyfriend, Greg, who just so happens to be the town’s local law enforcement. Things are rarely quiet in the tourist town of South Cove, California and Jill finds herself involved in trying to solve another murder.

The story flows and it captured my attention from the beginning. This is one of those books that I read in one sitting as I turned pages and ignored how late it was. I love the characters of South Cove and enjoy that in each book different residents are introduced and given a prominent role in the storyline. This gives the reader better insight into the town, and while HOSPITALITY AND HOMICIDE can be read as a standalone, starting from the beginning is a great way to see the characters grow and develop. The author does a wonderful job in stretching the characters, allowing them to gain skills and growth as humans. I especially like the transformation Jill’s Aunt Jackie has gone through…she is very sweet with her beau, Harold. One character that I hope doesn’t change too much is Toby! Part-time barista and part-time law enforcement officer… no wonder there’s a line of women waiting to buy coffee drinks whenever he’s working. I’d be joining that line too… I greatly enjoyed this book and look forward to the next installment!

I sat down last night to read for an hour or 2 until my favorite show came on and missed my show! (Thank goodness for DVRs!) There were two riveting plots in this one, B&B innkeeper Walter is found dead, murdered in a way that closely mirrored the plot of visiting crime author Nathan Pike’s new novel and a child missing after being swept off the beach by a wave. Esmeralda claims he’s still alive but in peril and won’t survive much longer. I was totally roped in by this story line, Esmeralda was definitely the unsung hero of this book! I loved seeing more of her (she’s always been one of my favorite characters!) The storyline about Walter’s murder was baffling and I loved the surprise twist at the end. Throw in relationship issues, Economics finals, broken hearts, hot coffee and a slice of cheesecake and you’ve got a riveting cozy mystery to wrap yourself up in.

I’ve read this series from the beginning, I’ve always felt is was more than just a cozy mystery series, it’s also a community; one that you stop and visit often to catch up with the characters. I love that the story lines progress naturally and there’s always new people to meet and love. I know Deek will be a great addition to the CBM family and what was the deal with Nathan? Multiple personalities? That’s a plot unto itself!

Overall, another excellent chapter in the Tourist Trap series and ranks up there as the best of the series. Definitely a must read for any cozy mystery fan!

Jill Gardner, owner of Coffee, Books and More, prepares for a visit from visiting author Nathan Pike. Pike who is writing a news novak while shadowing the local police is accused of murder. This book is a great read and I really enjoyed it. I received a free copy in exchange got an honest review.

Hospitality and Homicide by Lynn Cahoon is the eighth book in A Tourist Trap Mystery series. Jill Gardner lives in South Cove, California and owns Coffee, Books and More. Nathan Pike, mystery author, has arrived back in town to work on his latest novel. He will be staying at the South Cove Bed and Breakfast. Greg King, South Cove PD’s only detective and Jill’s boyfriend, is less thrilled with his presence since Nathan will be shadowing him for the next month. On the weekend, Jill, Greg, Aunt Jackie and her beau, Harold along with Nathan visit the Jensen Farm. There is an old olive tree on the property that is called the Judas tree (scene of several suicides). One evening Greg and Jill are preparing to cook dinner when Greg brings up the idea of them moving in together. Jill is unprepared for Greg’s suggestion and glad when he is called away to a crime scene. Jill later hears that the owner of the Beal Street B&B, Walter Knicely, was found murdered on the Judas tree. It turns out that the scene was staged just like a scene in the novel Nathan is writing. Nathan becomes a prime suspect in Walter’s death. Jill’s curiosity soon has her working to solve this latest murder. But Jill cannot devote all her time to the case. She is contemplating letting Greg move in with her. Jill is not sure if she is ready for such a big step (she has yet to tell Greg those three special words). Of course, everyone in town has an opinion (and has placed a bet on the outcome). Then there is the missing boy and interviewing perspective employees. Life is never dull in South Cove.

Hospitality and Homicide is easy to read, and it has a good pace. Ms. Cahoon has a lovely, conversational writing style. It was nice to revisit the characters in the series and see how they are getting along. I found Hospitality and Homicide to have more of the cozy element than most cozy mysteries. More time is devoted to Jill working, going to school, jogging, dating, walking Emma and eating. We get to see how Aunt Jackie is faring with her new beau, check up on the romance between Sasha and Toby, and discover Esmerelda’s problem with her latest client. The mystery was very simple and extremely easy to solve. The suspect pool is exceedingly limited. The motive for the murder is feeble. The books in A Tourist Trap Mystery series are best read in order. Otherwise, you will be a little bewildered (missing important bits of information). I give Hospitality and Homicide 3 out of 5 stars. Several things are repeated throughout the book (examples: Jill’s dislike of her business class, Jill states she is afraid of Aunt Jackie’s wrath when she is late or forgets something, Jill being afraid to commit to Greg or say I love you to him). I found a couple of contradictions in the book. Nathan Pike’s character is described one way at the beginning of the story (afraid of crowds for example) and later is very chatty and a charmer. I found the case of the missing child to be confusing. At one point, it is stated that the courts have declared the young boy to be dead which was why the police were no longer looking for him. Later, it seems the boy has only been missing a short time (days). Which is it? I am hoping for a more complex mystery and more attention to details in Killer Party, the next book in A Tourist Trap Mystery series.

Wow! If I knew how much I was missing in this series, I would have started it a long time ago! This is an exciting mystery with a delightful romance woven throughout. The setting of South Cove, California sounds gorgeous with the ocean nearby – I already want to go there in armchair land, and Jill’s store, Coffee, Books and More sounds like a place I would really love.

Jill’s Aunt Jackie is manager of the book store and coffee shop while Jill is studying for a business degree. She has practiced as an attorney, but left the law for a business of her own. Now that she has the shop, Jackie helped her see how she could benefit from classes in business management. She is studying for final exams before summer break, and life is as topsy-turvy as ever.

Jill has been dating Greg, a police detective, for a couple years. He wants to know if she is ready for them to live together. A commitment-phobe, Jill won’t commit to anything yet other than thinking about it.

Nathan Pike, a well-known author, is in town to stage his next thriller there. The mayor gave him full run of the police station, including asking any questions of Greg. Nathan had run a scenario for where a murderer leaves a victim by Greg to see if it could work. Unfortunately, he body of Walter, owner of Beal Street Bed and Breakfast is found murdered in the exact place and position from Nathan’s draft.

Greg doesn’t want Jill involved in his investigations, despite her love of solving puzzles. He won’t discuss open cases with her; his deputy and her part time barista is not allowed to, either. She really does a good job of trying to stay out of it…after all, she has exams, a valuable part-time employee to replace, and of course, make a decision on whether to live together with Greg. Little tidbits keep dropping in her lap, including the mother of a student in one of Jill’s classes offering information. Just asking a few questions here and there, places she has to go anyway, can’t hurt anything…can it?

I like Jill and her friends! She has many contacts in the community, especially since she is on the city council and the business to business group. At first it seems like there are too many people to remember, but the author has a special place in the community for each one. Most are likeable, a few like Esmerelda, who does psychic readings part time while working as a police dispatcher full time, are eccentric. Aunt Jackie sounds like a real triple Type A personality. When I begin to read from earlier mysteries, I will learn much more about her before dating Harrold, who does his best to temper her. The primary characters are very well-defined, and others are as much as necessary for their roles. Oh, and Emma – love Jill’s large pup, Emma, her companion, running partner, and a gift from Greg from their early dating days.

The plot grabbed and held on to my attention from the beginning (or maybe it is the coffee)? There are surprising twists and turns every time it seemed that this reader knew who might be the bad guy/ gal, keeping me on my armchair sleuth toes. There was a red herring that seemed to come out of left field, until the true bad guy/ gal took me by complete surprise. The solution is astonishing, wrapping up a mystery that was by turns fun and breathtaking. I highly recommend Hospitality and Homicide; there is never a dull moment when Jill is on the scene!

From a grateful heart: I received this eBook from the publisher and NetGalley and this is my honest review.

To me, happiness has always been reading a good book. Therefore, I was ecstatic to be reading HOSPITALITY AND HOMICIDE.

I have been reading the Tourist Trap Mysteries since book one, GUIDE BOOK TO MURDER, and I was quickly taken with the writing style of Lynn Cahoon. She writes a story that pulls you in and makes you feel a part of the tale.

What fun it was to be in South Cove, CA again! The lovely setting, and the quirky, eclectic characters always ensure that every visit will be as entertaining as the one before. This statement holds true with the newest installment, HOSPITALITY AND HOMICIDE.

As if things aren’t busy enough with her business, love life, and taking classes (just to name a few), murder hits town again, and protagonist Jill Gardner finds herself up to her ears in murder, mystery, and mayhem . . . again! But never fear, Jill can handle it all! Can’t she?

Thank you to author Lynn Cahoon for once again penning a fast paced story that had me on the edge of my seat for more than half the book! I swiped through the pages of my Kindle so fast my finger started cramping! There was so much going on in this book that it could have become muddled if the not for the skill of this fantastic writer. Yet being so perfect at her craft, Ms. Cahoon made HOSPITALITY AND HOMICIDE the book to beat in her already brilliant series!

This is one of my favorite series, this book does not disappoint. I enjoy my visits with the residents of South Cove, it feels like I'm catching up with friends. The author does a great job of setting the scene so it feels I'm right there with the characters. Speaking of characters, I love seeing them grow and evolve with each new book. I can't wait to read what happens next!

I received a copy of this manuscript from the publisher via NetGalley. My review has been voluntarily submitted.

An engaging series, but also can be read as a standalone. I read the book in one day, as I did not want to put it down. I do so enjoy my visits to this fictional California town. When I see the name Lynn Cahoon I know I will be pleasantly entertained for several hours.