Princess Fuzzypants here: I love it when a character in a book is sufficiently self-aware to comment on one of the things that drives me crazy with some cozies: heroines who are almost too dumb to survive. I had to laugh when Cat says she is going to do something risky but not beyond the Darwin factor. There are lots of other things I enjoy about this book and this series too.
It’s a good tale- a group of writers who are also friends are the participants of this workshop. Jessi, the local student who joins them is immediately adopted by the group. This is a very good thing since she is plagued by some serious stuff including the murder of her room-mate and the loss of her trust in the people closest to her. This poor girl has been used and abused and she needs all the support she can get.
She isn’t the only one.
Shauna is still reeling from the death of her fiancé and there are a lot of things going on around town. Cat, her uncle Pete, and the cast of regulars become deeply involved not just to protect Jessi but to make sure she is not the target of one of the “Families” who send their children to the local college. I did suspect what was behind the mystery fairly early on but it enhanced my enjoyment as I found my suspicions were correct.
I am fond of the various series Lynn Cahoon writes and this is no exception. I always find the story engaging, the characters amiable and the mysteries well worth my time.
Five purrs and two paws up.

Slay in character involves another murder that happens during one of Cat's writer's retreats. This time it is a question of who killed the current college scholarship attendant jessie's roommate, was is something she did or a case of mistaken identity and Jessie is the real target? The fact that Jessie has ties to the mob makes Dante interested and he asks Cat to look out for her. Cat and the participaters from the retreat proceed to try and figure out whodunnit, but the final reveal is lackluster in my opinion. I really enjoy Lynn's books, but my favorites will always the tourist trap series.

The 4th volume in the Cat Latimer cozy mystery series by Lynn Cahoon is developing slowly. Cat is building her business hosting writers retreats in her small town Victorian home. She's also working on building a rebudding romance with Seth her high school sweetheart, local carpenter and all around good guy. Uncle Pete is the local sheriff and provides some brakes on Cat's curiosity about the murder of a young college student at the nearby tourist attraction "Outlaw Town" and old west amusement area. The victim's BFF is a guest at Cat's retreat and as the story unfolds one wonders what are best friends for? Being the 4th volume we meet new characters in this novel as well as become better acquainted with recurring characters. This series could benefit by a little faster pacing and more quirky writer guests at the retreats. Having said that it's meant to be cozy and not keep you up with nightmares, so I call this one a success!

This is the fourth book in the Car Larimer series and the setting was amazingly wonderful.. The Old West is a great place for a mystery and I thought the use of costumes and famous legends was a great part of this book. I highly recommend this book and series

I've read all the previous books in this series and enjoyed them all, this one was another winner for me. This months writer resort group is a group of writer friends from CT and the Covington student Jessi, who has family ties and whose mother is friends with local mob family member Dante. Cat has decided to take the group to Outlaw, which was a ghost town that had been brought back to life as a tourist town depicting life in the late 1800s. Jessi also works in Outlaw with her roommate Danielle. When Danielle is found dead, strangled in an upstairs room at the saloon, there is speculation that Jessie was the actual target, not Danielle. Cat promised Dante she'd keep Jessi safe, and now she was worried about being able to keep that promise as a couple more attempts were made on Jessi's life. When Jessi finds out that her roommate has been stealing her jewellery and pawning it along with money missing from her bank account she becomes very worried and upset.

I enjoyed this group of writers. They all got along well, had some humorous moments and one of them was like a mother hen to Jessi, whose own mom left much to be desired in the mother/daughter relationship. Cat tries very hard to stay out of this one, but this group of retreaters wanted to snoop to help their new friend. This kept dragging Cat into the investigation whether she wanted to or not. I enjoy the recurring characters in this book. Shauna is still getting over Kevin’s death but is doing better, Cat and Seth’s relationship is moving along nicely. Uncle Pete and Shirley are handling a long distance relationship. Dante is still popping up unexpectedly. The mystery was full of twists and I found it to be very interesting the way old cases that were similar were brought to light. I did not figure out who the culprit was until just before the reveal and of course the reason made total sense. A subplot throughout the story was a project Seth was working on. A secret project. Almost every day he went out the back door and through the woods to the back of the property. I will not give any details about it, you will need to read and find out. I enjoyed this story as I said before and think all cozy readers will feel the same way. I do recommend that you read this series in order if possible to follow the exploits of the characters as well as follow their development. The publisher, Kensington Publishing Corporation, generously provided me with a copy of this book upon request. The rating, ideas and opinions shared are my own.

This is my first time reading a book by this author so I wasn't sure what to expect. I have to say that I really enjoyed the characters and the author's style of writing.
Since this is book 4in the series (and I haven't read the others), I was afraid I would be really lost but it wasn't too bad. It was definitely worth reading. And it made me want to check out the other books in the series.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. My thoughts and opinions are my own and without bias.

It was nice to return to Aspen Hills, Colorado for another writer's retreat week with Cat, Shauna, Seth, and Uncle Pete. Cat opens her large home for the retreat while her friend and business manager Shauna cooks and works the business end of things. Cat's boyfriend Seth has his own room for the event when he helps out with maintenance and such. And unfortunately, the services of Uncle Pete, local police chief, is needed once again. This session brings a group of writer friends for the week of writing, research and fun. Local college student Jessi Ball from Covington College joins the group and brings excitement when her roommate is found dead at a old west tourist town saloon of nearby Outlaw shortly after the retreat group has lunch and a tour of the town. Jessi and her roommate, Danielle, both work at the saloon during their free time. This is the fourth death at the town in a similar manner over a course of forty years. Jessi comes from a wealthy family and doesn't need to work but does it for fun. After Danielle's death, Jessi discovers that she was not the best friend that she thought that she was. Not only did she take Jessi's clothes and jewelry but also her boyfriend. It soon becomes apparent that Jessi's life might be in danger as well. In fact, was Danielle even the target?
I always enjoy reading Lynn Cahoon's books. Her characters are fun and realistic, someone that would make a good friend. This story line has a believable plot centered around greed and jealousy. We have a cast of possible suspects and action that keeps the story moving and interesting. This is another winner in the Cat Latimer Mystery series.
I received a complimentary ARC from Kensington Publishing through NetGalley. The thoughts and opinions expressed are mine only.

Author Cat Latimer is hosting a writers’ retreat in Aspen Springs, Colorado for five aspiring authors. One of the participants, Jessi, is a student at a local college and also works part-time at a nearby tourist attraction. Outlaw, an old ghost town, has been fixed up and and staffed by employees in costume to give visitors the feel of the wild, wild west. When Jessi’s friend and co-worker, Danielle, is found strangled in the old western town, Cat gets involved in the investigation and worries that before she can close the case, the killer will strike again.

Slay in Character is the fourth book in this series, but the first I’ve read. I enjoy the author’s Tourist Trap books, but hadn’t tried the Cat Latimer series before this. I was intrigued by the idea of a writer’s workshop in a beautiful Colorado setting. I enjoyed the parts of the book dealing with the retreat activities and think there could have been additional details about the writing drills to lend even more authenticity. The murder investigation is interesting and I liked how diligent Cat is about identifying potential suspects and motives. She tries to keep her retreat participants safe, but they keep putting themselves in dangerous situations and Cat has to come to their rescue. All of their escapades keep Cat busy and keep things moving in the story.

I knew going into this book that it was the fourth in the series, but I had hoped I could jump in without a problem. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case. There are many references to past history between various characters, but it’s not explained. Cat often talks about tension between her friend Shauna and her boyfriend Seth, but the cause isn’t discussed. Seth doesn’t approve of Cat’s friendship with Dante, a member of a local mob family. Some of his disapproval is logical, but again, no details are given. Shauna questions if Cat is interested in Dante romantically, but the reader isn’t clued into Cat’s feelings. Even though there were problems between Shauna and Seth, at times Shauna seems more into him than Cat! The personal relationships aren’t key to solving the mystery, but they play a large role in the book so I felt lost much of the time as I read the book. Although I couldn’t appreciate all the dynamics between the characters, I think those who follow the series will enjoy it since the mystery of Danielle’s murder is engaging.

~ Christine

Slay In Character
Cat Latimer Mystery, Book #4
Lynn Cahoon
5 Stars

Synopsis:

Staying in character can be murder when Cat Latimer and the members of her writers' retreat head for a ghost town . . .

Cat and the members of her writers' retreat have just arrived in Outlaw, Colorado, an "Old West" tourist town complete with inhabitants dressed up as famous figures from history. But this authentic slice of Americana takes a murderous turn when a college student masquerading as a 19th-century saloon girl becomes history herself.

Was she the intended target? Or did she take a hit meant for someone else? With a cast of suspects to choose from--including some notorious gunslingers and the sleazy town founders--Cat must unhorse the real culprit before a real-life ghost story is given a killer twist . . .

Praise for Lynn Cahoon

"Better get your flashlight handy, A Story to Kill will keep you reading all night."
--Laura Bradford, author of the Amish Mysteries

"Lynn Cahoon has created an absorbing, good fun mystery in Mission to Murder."
--Fresh Fiction (Goodreads)

Review:

The characters are well rounded and well developed. Cat is a smart hardworking woman and she is making a go of her writer’s retreat events. It is something that she enjoys doing and she is good with it. But she has got to find a way to get rid of all these murders!!
Shauna is a good friend and she is a big help in running the retreats. I enjoy getting to spend time with them and reading about their interactions. You can tell that Cat really cares about her and wants Shauna to be happy. Her relationship with Seth, her handyman, is moving along nicely.

The writing style flows smoothly and the book is an easy read. The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and she brought Outlaw, Colorado, alive in my mind. I could see the old west setting very clear in and it is somewhere I would like to visit. The mystery was well plotted and carried on well throughout the book. I had an idea who the killer was but I was not entirely sure until the reveal at the end.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy. There is a lot contained within the pages of this book and I am sure you will enjoy this one.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, Kensington Books, and NetGalley, which I greatly appreciate.

Cat is hoping for a nice, safe and quiet writer's retreat, but when her student attendee's roommate is murdered in an Old West saloon, that goes out the window. There are plenty of great twists in Cahoon's latest novel and a compelling mystery.

Review of SLAY IN CHARACTER by Lynn Cahoon
(A Cat Latimer Mystery Book 4)

An enthralling cozy with so many twists and turns, SLAY IN CHARACTER is Book 4 in Lynn Cahoon's Cat Latimer Mystery Series, and I want to read them all. I loved this mystery, and couldn't put it down in my eagerness to discover “who? What? Why?” and whether there was a human killer, or a ghost (given the setting of the restored ghost town of Outlaw, Colorado). A lot of heartwarmingness occurred too, be it friendship, romance, finding second chances, love restored, and more. A lot of character evolution, which I particularly admire.
I had not read the earlier entries in this series, and noticed several spots where mention was made by the characters of previous events, but it did not interfere with my enjoyment of this story (just made me more eager to read the earlier books in this series).

Slay in Character is book 4 in the Cat Larimer series by Lynn Cahoon. It can be read as a stand alone but you will want to read the entire series.
Cat is again holding a writer's retreat when another murder occurs. Was the victim the intended or was one of her attendees the target. Cat is again set on investigating, much to her uncle's dismay. After all, he is the sheriff. Not only is Cat investigating, the writers there for the retreat get it on it.
Cahoon has you guessing until the end with twists and turns, a great setting, and likeable characters. There is mystery, romance, and a heartwarming ending. Overall a great cozy mystery. You will want to attend the next retreat at Aspen Springs, Colorado.
Thanks to Kensington Books and Netgalley for the ARC for an honest review.

A solid installment in the Cat Lattimer Cozy series. I thoroughly enjoyed this latest visit with Cat, Shauna, Seth, Uncle Pete and the new batch of guests attending Cat's writer's retreat. The mystery kept me entertained and I all but devoured this story in the course of an afternoon. This group of ladies attending this retreat were fun and likable even with their escapades in trying to solve the crimes happening in the story. This has definitely been my favorite Cat mystery thus far.

I received this book from NetGalley and the publisher. I was not required to post a positive review. All thoughts above are my own.

Slay in Character by Lynn Cahoon is the 4th book in the Cat Latimer Mystery series. Let me start by saying I am a big fan of the authors Tourist Trap Mysteries, and I love this series too. It also helps I was born and still live in beautiful Colorado. Cat Latimer is a successful author of a teen witch series who inherited a large Victorian home from her ex husband. Cat has opened a writers retreat in the home, and the group of guests take a trip to Outlaw, Colorado to tour the old west town. When one of the retreat members roommate is murdered in the town, Cat is determined to kind the killer. What a great book, I was sucked in from page one. There are twists and turns around every corner. I found this book to be a quick read, with a well developed plot and characters. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series. I strongly recommend this book, and the authors other series, to any one who enjoys a well written cozy mystery. 

I received this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

This is a great book with a wonderful story and well developed characters. The story flowed very well and was very enjoyable. This book will keep you reading long into the night and you will not want to put this book down until you finish. This was such a great read and full of surprises. I am looking forward to reading other books by this great author.

This is the fourth in the series. The story was interesting. The plot moved quickly, there were subplots, and there were only a few suspects to consider. I have read all the Cat Latimer books and found this to be a standalone but some new readers may like a little more background before jumping into this installment.

What I did like:
The cast of characters – their diversity. The majority of the writer’s group was from the same town and had their own group to support each other in that town.

The retreat group spent time in an old west town, a ghost town setting in Outlaw, CO. which reminded me of Tombstone, AZ. The town has afternoon gunfights, an old time photo shop and saloon.

Jessi, a Coventington student and attending the retreat has a roommate, Danielle. Danielle is found dead in Outlaw in Jessi’s costume. So against Uncle Pete’s, Seth and the rest of Cat’s gang urging her to stay out of this investigation, she does not.

Looking forward to another installment.

Bonus; there is a great recipe for Easy Blueberry Coffee Cake included.
I volunteered to read and review an ARC of this book provided by Kensington and NetGalley.

Another Cat Latimer book, another group of writers at her B&B writer's retreat. This time, it's historical romance writers and they're ready for a day out at the local tourist town set in the Old West. When they go, they meet the roommate of the current student writer at Cat's retreat. Like Jessica Ball, the student, her roommate works at the town as a saloon girl. But it's the roommate, rather than the wealthy and "connected" Jess who ends up murdered.
Was she killed because of something she did? Or because someone mistook her for Jess?
I think you will definitely want to have read previous books in the series because a few of the plot points build on previous books. I wish we had seen a bit more of the "series regulars" and the ending was somewhat fairly clued but I wish there had been a little bit more for background.

Three stars
This book came out November 27
ARC provided by NetGalley; Opinion is my own

This is book 4 in the Cat Latimer Mystery series. It works well a standalone; although, what could be more enjoyable for someone who loves reading cozy mysteries than one with a writer’s retreat? If you enjoy this kind of story as much as I do, start with the first book.

Lynn Cahoon has has developed quite a following because her books are well written, with characters who are so well-developed that you feel like many of them could be your friend; although, like any good story, there a few people who aren’t that pleasant. Each book has a mystery that is neatly tied up at the end in a way that is believable. I did solve the crime before the end of the book.

I always appreciate books that don’t have swear words or sex. While this book alludes to sex now and then, it isn’t filled with graphic scenes.

This is one of my favorite well written cozy series and this next in series is a exciting mystery that did not disappoint . Slay in Character is the fourth book in Lynn Cahoon’s Cat Latimer Mystery series. This book can be read as a stand alone although I highly recommend the entire series.
Thank you for the opportunity to review this book prior to publication. My opinion is my own.

Catherine “Cat” Latimer is an author and the owner of Warm Springs Writer’s Retreat in the small college town of Aspen Hills, Colorado. The town is described as charming and somewhere every reader would want to visit. The current retreat group is of four historical romance authors who are members of a writers’ group in Connecticut, One other person is attending is a student Jessi who earned the right to attend .
Cat arranged for a fun day trip for everyone to a local ghost town. Jessi's roommate is found murdered who worked at the ghost town. Cat is on the case as someone then try's to kill Jessi. Soon the suspects and clues are many and Cat may be in over her head.
I loved the well crafted plot, the series of clues and supporting charcters of this series. This was a fun addition to the series and I look forward to the next book. This is a perfect cozy mystery with a charming location,, savvy smart protagonist and interesting sleuth to keep every reader guessing.

Another excellent edition to a wonderful series! Full of twists and turns that leaves you wanting more and enjoying each moment until the end when the killer is caught.