I love this series and was very happy when this book was approved.
I'm in two minds about this book because I liked it but there was somehow slower and more repetitive than the other instalments.
The style of writing was as good as usual, the cast of characters lovely but the plot was a bit loose and ripetitive, after the nth time I read that Jessy was a good kid and she had a bad week I wanted to shout.
The ending was a bit rushed, it came as a surprise but it was sort of "here's the culprit".
I look forward to reading the next instalment that will surely be a great book.
Recommended to people who already read the other books in this series.
Many thanks to Kensington Books and Netgalley for this ARC.

Slay in Character is a well written murder mystery. I enjoyed the plot, setting and the author’s writing. I anticipate reading more books in this series. Mystery fans will love this one. Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for my digital arc. This is my unbiased review.

Love this series. Enjoyable characters. Interesting plots. This one was a tad too predictable, but still an absolute delight to read. I look forward to #5.

This is what of my favorite series from the author as the protagonist runs a writer’s retreat where solving murder mysteries is a by-product of their activities. In her latest session, a young woman’s death sparks a catacomb of incidents that makes it clear who the killer is after. What is the motive? Well you’ll have to read this book to find out.

I love the author’s writing style which makes this fast-paced and action-packed drama easy to follow. All the characters are fully fleshed out, even those who drop by for their week stay. The author has a way with the narrative putting me in the center of all that is going on with engaging dialogue and scenes that are visually descriptive. This is one of the best books in this series and I can’t wait to see who stops by at the next retreat in this delightfully entertaining series.

First, let me state that this is one of my favorite series. I love the premise. Who wouldn’t want to attend one of Cat Latimer’s writing retreats despite all the mayhem and murder? However, this entry was lacking something. I wasn’t that invested in who committed the murder or why. There were too many red herrings and a couple of twists that didn’t really add to the plot. Previous story lines have been tighter and every action was essential to the conclusion. I also think this book may not appeal to readers who are unfamiliar with the backstory. There are discussions and motivations that won't make sense if you haven't read the other titles. That said, I still love the interaction between the recurring characters. With each book the development of their relationships is believable and leaves me wanting more. Ms. Cahoon's writing style is very engaging and keeps your attention. I didn't love this book as much as the previous titles but I will continue to read the series and look forward to the next installment.

Slay in Character is Book 4 in Lynn Cahoon's Cat Latimer Mystery Series.
Cat Latimer runs a writers retreat in a cozy small town in Colorado. All is going well until one of her guests friends is murdered~!!!

I have read all three previous books in the series, but having said that, this book stands as a stand alone story.

I love the characters in this book and the story line. I did not guess who the murderer was at all!
The characters are well developed and likeable, such a fun story by Lynn Cahoon.

Cat runs writers retreats and solves murders. This time out, she's taken a group of romance writers and one college student- Jessi- to Outlaw, Colorado, an old West town, where they hope to focus on their writing and commune with each other. Hah! All too soon, Jessi's roommate Danielle is found murdered, and she's wearing Jessi's clothes. Was someone trying to kill Jessi? Maybe, but what about the fact that Jessi went missing for a bit? Cat, her Uncle Pete (the police chief), her friend Shauna, and her love interest Seth, along with members of the writers group will solve all these questions and more. This is the fourth in a series and I think it would be fine as a standalone. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. This is a good classic cozy with a terrific set of characters.

This was a gripping tale from start to finish! Author Cat runs a writers' retreat from her Colorado college town home along with her boyfriend Seth and her BFF Shauna. This retreat's guests include a local college student and a writers' group from Connecticut, a mix that seem to all get along and support one another well but also know how to make some time to relax on their working vacation. When someone connected to the group is found dead, some of the ladies find themselves drawn to investigating. This was a fun group of guests to read about and the mystery was a little tricky! Though I suspected the culprit, I kept second-guessing myself until the very end. Aside from the mystery, we get to hear a little more about Shauna and her troubles. There was a great new setting in this book, an Old West town nearby, where some of the book's scenes are set. Slay in Character is a great entry in this series, though I feel it stands alone quite well for those who haven't read any others in the Cat Latimer series. If you read this one first, you may find yourself wanting to back and start at the beginning! I'm hoping this series will be around for quite awhile!

I received an advance copy of this book. This review contains my own honest thoughts and opinions.

Slay in Character is the fourth book in Lynn Cahoon’s Cat Latimer Mystery series. It's is a well-written story with well-developed characters, and moves along at a steady pace. Ms. Cahoon’s writing style flows smoothly, and she provides good background information about the characters and town. The characters are relatable, and there are enough twists, turns, and suspects to hold a reader’s attention. This is an easy read and can be read as a standalone. This is a clean mystery featuring no gratuitous sex, adult language, or graphic violence.

Catherine “Cat” Latimer is an author and the owner of Warm Springs Writer’s Retreat in the small college town of Aspen Hills, Colorado. Cat’s best friend, cook, planner, and retreat manager, Shauna, is still trying to cope with the death of her fiancé, Kevin. Cat’s high school sweetheart and current boyfriend, Seth Howard, is the handyman helping with renovations and transporting guests and is working on a secret project. Cat’s uncle, Pete Edmond, has been the local police chief for twenty years and is in a long distance relationship with one of the retreats previous guests, Shirley Mann, a retired detective who lives in Alaska. The current retreat attendees are a group of four historical romance authors who are members of a writers’ group in Connecticut, plus Jessi Ball, a Covington College student who earned the right to attend the retreat. Cat arranged for a day trip to Outlaw, a local ghost town which has become a popular tourist attraction featuring western gunfights and other entertainment, a saloon, and a photo shop with period costumes. Jessi and her roommate, Danielle, work at the attraction, and Danielle agreed to take Jessi’s shifts so she can attend the retreat. Danielle’s strangled body is found in a bedroom above the saloon, and then someone tries to run Jessi down. Many of the Covington students are tied to mafia families, and Jessi is no exception. That, coupled with Danielle’s murder while filling in for Jessi and wearing her costume, causes Cat to wonder if Jesse was the intended target. Uncle Pete and Seth don’t want Cat to become involved, but she’s determined to find out what’s happening and protect Jessi.

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

A Cat Latimer Mystery #4

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

This is the fourth book in the Cat Latimer series. Cat and her band of characters are getting better with each book.

This was my favorite so far. There were so many interesting twists and turns and shady people that at one point I wasn't sure they weren't all guilty. Even though I had my suspicions early on, the interaction with the writers at the retreat and the underlying stories of Shauna and Seth were so good. 

I always wind up learning something from Lynn's books and that is a big plus for me. Whether it's a writing tip, a baking or cooking tip or some good historical knowledge about Colorado, it's just that she goes that little bit of extra to give us the feeling that we know these guys, we like them or hate them, but we know them.

This one is set in a ghost town. A tourist attraction ghost town now but an actual ghost town for a long time, along with some suspicious goings on and unsolved murders of young women. And now another one is found. But is this one a case of mistaken identity?

Just enough mystery and laughter for me! Well Done!

Netgalley/ November 27th 2018 by Kensington Publishing Corporation

I felt a little lost at the beginning on this book. It feels like it's assuming you know the people, the situation and what's going on. It took a couple of chapters before I got into it and felt more comfortable with the plot. I did enjoy it although I admit I knew who the bad guy was early in the story. I really liked the group of people who are the retreat guests, especially how they helped and stood up for Jessi. #SlayInCharacter #NetGalley

Cat Latimer runs a writers' retreat in the Colorado home she inherited from her ex husband. The current group of writers is from Connecticut and they all know one another, but a local university student has also joined the group. The student is also employed as a saloon girl at a local "Old West" tourist town. When the group visits the town, the student's roommate is found murdered in a room above the saloon. Cat and her writers' group attempt to solve the case, despite her uncle's (the local sheriff) warning to leave it to him.
The premise of this series of mysteries is an interesting one, but I found this particular story line to be a bit less interesting to me than others I've read. It seemed a bit repetitive, often with the phrase that the college student is having a bad day/week. The story line seemed to be a bit more loosely woven, as well, with some unnecessary details thrown in for no particular reason. And, if you've not read previous books in the series, you're left wondering about what happened to Cat's friend's boyfriend, who obviously was killed in a previous book. So, for these reasons, I'm giving it a bit lower rating, but it's still an interesting story.

Slay in Character is the fourth installment in the Cat Latimer Mystery series set in Aspen Hills, Colorado featuring author Cat Latimer, her boyfriend/handyman Seth and her best friend and resident chef Shauna. The latest writer's retreat is host to a group of Connecticut romance writers and Jessi Ball, the Covington College student who earned the right to attend this month.

The group is excited to take a field trip to the old mining town, Outlaw. Outlaw is now being run like a western amusement park complete with afternoon gunfights, an old timey photo shop and saloon. Most of the Covington College students including Jessi and her best friend Danielle, work at the resort to earn extra money. During their visit, Jessi disappears for a short time and when she comes back she looks a little frightened.

The next day Cat's Uncle Pete who is also the police chief arrives on the doorstep looking for Jessi. It appears that Danielle has gone missing and after a search of Outlaw, she's discovered in a room above the saloon - dead. Danielle is wearing Jessi's costume and it's widely known that the Covington students are children of mafia families so Cat begins to wonder if Jessi was the actual target. Despite the warnings from Seth, Uncle Pete and her mysterious neighbor Dante, Cat begins to investigate and discovers she'll need to be quick on the draw to catch a killer.

A fun, fast paced story line with characters that continue to evolve with each new addition to the series. While each of the books in the series can read as a stand a lone, I strongly recommend starting at the beginning in order to fully understand the back history of Cat and her friends.

I received an advanced copy of Slay in Character from NetGalley via Kensington Publishing. While not required to write a review I am more than happy to offer my honest opinion.

An excellent cozy. The character and relationship development of the core cast is phenomenal and the new characters are introduced in compelling fashion. This series never disappoints.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I was not paid for this review.

A group of historic fiction authors attend a writers retreat in Outlaw, Colorado they find not only a focus on their writing, but some inspiration with a murder and mystery that touches their group. Cat hosts a monthly writers retreat and it seems there plenty of fodder for future stories every time, but this time, when the roommate of the college student attending the retreat is murdered, the ladies in the retreat group rally around her and being poking around.

The story is well written so that it not only draws you in, it hooks you until you get to the end! This is why Lynn is one of my favorite authors. Her writing flows, the characters are well developed, and she provides enough clues and red herrings that it keeps you guessing for quite awhile. Another fantastic read from Lynn Cahoon!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in return for an honest review.

Lynn Cahoon has added another wonderful book to the Cat Latimer Mystery series. The characters that we have come to love from the previous books are back - Cat, Seth, Uncle Pete and Shauna. It wouldn't be a Writer's Retreat without a houseful of guests there to write and learn. Of course, what would a retreat be without some mayhem and murder.

On a visit to an Old West Tourist Town the group of writers gets tangled up in the murder of a Saloon girl that is tied to one of the participants of the retreat. Was the Saloon girl the intended target or was one of the members of the retreat the actual target.

Despite constant promises to her Uncle Pete who is the police in town, Cat always goes out investigating in between typing up her newest book. Cat always manages to get mixed up in murder while hosting one of her writer's retreats. A wonderful cozy mystery that is difficult to put down and leaves you wanting the next book in the series.

I absolutely loved this book! Cat and Shauna are two of my favorite characters.
Slay in Character by Lynn Cahoon was a wild ride. There were plenty of twists and turns to keep me glued to the pages from beginning to end.

I definitely give this book 5 stars and would recommend it to readers of any genre.

I volunteered to read and review an ARC of this book provided by the publisher and NetGalley.

Another awesome book in the Cat Latimer cozy mystery series by Lynn Cahoon! I love this series! It has everything I love about cozy mysteries-interesting likable characters, an intriguing mystery, friendship, and romance! It isn't graphic, intense or scary. Cat and her friend Shauna run a Writer's Retreat along with Cat's boyfriend Seth who does the handyman jobs. A group of writers arrive for the week who already know each other plus a Covington College student, Jessi. They are a fun group and include Jessi in their plans. Jessi's roomate Danielle ends up dead and Jessi is one of the suspects. Cat, Shauna, Seth & the writers all work together to figure out what happened to Danielle and to keep Jessi safe. I had a suspect in mind but wasn't sure until the end. This was a very enjoyable cozy mystery!

Which ever series by Lynn Cahoon - the South Cove series, the Farm to Table Series or the Writers Retreat series is my favorite at that time - they are all great. This book is part of the Writers Retreat series and it has a great concept. Cat Latimer who runs the retreats, her boyfriend Seth Howard, her friend Shauna and Uncle Pete are constants so it is like visiting with old friends, but each retreat brings a new set of writers to meet so it is always something fresh. This time Cat is hosting a group of historical romance writers from Connecticut along with Jessi Ball, a local college student. The group goes on an outing to the ghost town of Outlaw where they run into Jessi's college roommate Danielle. When Danielle is found murdered in one of the Outlaw buildings after taking over one of Jessi's shifts, the group takes it upon themselves to try to investigate the crime. Between Jessi's boyfriend who was also dating Danielle, and possible Mob family connections along with a local peeping tom, the group and Uncle Pete (who is the police chief) have their hands full. Cat, her friends and the writing group are all interesting characters and the plot has enough possible suspects and twists and turns to keep you guessing all the way through. I enjoyed it and am looking forward to the next in the series.

Cat, Shauna, Seth and Uncle Pete are back to entertain us again this time Shauna and Cat are hosting another retreat this one has a lot of historical romance authors and Jessi Ball whose gotten the opportunity to be here as part of the college. They are having fun going to Outlaw Colorado and visit the old west dress up as saloon girls and having a great time when something seems off with Jessi and Cat tries to help her but of course not long and Cat is being informed how Jessi's roommate Danielle has been found strangled. Who killed the young college girl and why?

The more Cat and Jessi learn about Danielle the less they seem to like her. Add to the mix something mysterious happening with Jessi's financial accounts. Someone seems determined to destroy Jessi and Cat can't figure out who or why? Will Cat figure it out in time or will someone shut down Jessi once and for all?

I enjoy these trips to Colorado we learn so much and this one also shows you how Shauna has been dealing with her boyfriend's murder. Of course in this one Cat has her work cut out for her as these authors are determined to play the role of Jessica Fletcher. Will Cat ever stop getting calls from Uncle Pete about the authors running off where they shouldn't be?