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Princess Fuzzypants here: Jill is being deluged by wedding plans both of her best friend and her aunt. It’s making her stop and think about the logistics that come with wedded bliss, including what would happen when she and Greg decide the time is right. She can be forgiven for mishandling her conversation with Greg considering a man was run down right in front of her and he was just about to correct a mistake that had been made about her Mission wall.
It seems someone is out to ruin both her and her reputation around town. Her shop is targeted with a series of “pranks” and there is a very pushy developer who wants Jill to sell her house. He is not going to take no for an answer and he is quite willing to do anything to force her hand. She deserves some slack when all this is piled on top of her plus she is sorely in need of additional staff.
What she doesn’t know is there is even more to the story than what meets the eye and she is in the middle of some very nasty people. She will need all her friends and family to help get her through. It’s a good thing there are lots of great characters to offset the nefarious ones. They will rally round.
I always enjoy catching up with Jill and her cohorts. Four purrs and two paws up.

This is the 11th in the charming "Tourist Trap Mystery Series" by popular cozy author Lynn Cahoon. I have read the entire series and always look forward to the next release. While this can be read as a stand alone I do recommend reading the entire series for maximum reading enjoyment of this wonderful series. Thank you to the publisher and to Net Galley for the opportunity. My review opinion is my own. I always know I will read her books cover to cover and enjoy each visit with Jill and friends .

In this next in series Jill has her hands full with some nefarious realtors up to no good, attacks on her book store and managing her relationship with her handsome detective boyfriend. I like the way the author blends suspense with clues throughout and brings the supporting charcters to life. The romance is done just right without a heavy emphasis on it . This was a fun addition to the series with just the right blend of cozy elements to make it a very enjoyable read. Jill once again has proven to be a savvy sleuth and always connects complex clues. Very well done and I most enjoyable addition to this series.

Even in the absolute best series not every book can be a winner and that's how I kind of felt about this one. Don't get me wrong - I enjoyed it. It was a quick read that kept me entertained. I loved seeing Jill and Greg again along with Jackie, Harold, Toby, Deek and all the rest of the South Cove group. I really enjoyed the first half of it and was so curious about just who had killed Frank and what was going on with the developer.

However, a couple of things kept this from being a winner for me. There was one tiny incident that gets referred to a few times in the book that seemed completely out of left field and doesn't have anything to do with the book itself. As well I'm about done with wedding planning Amy. I have a similar attitude to Jill about weddings and I think she's being a remarkably patient friend. Jill got a bit in her head regarding relationships and legalities and it felt like that took over a bit. I had little patience with that and just kind of wanted the book to get back to the mystery as that felt a little pushed to the side at time.

That said this is still a fast read and an entertaining mystery it just wasn't my favorite of the series.

Every time I read a new Tourist Trap book I am reminded of why it's my favorite cozy series. I just love South Cove, Coffee Books & More, and all the characters. This newest installment had a great mystery and I loved the side stories of the wedding planning etc. The story was top notch as always and I am eager for the next story with Jill, Greg and the rest of South Cove!

I continue to enjoy the Tourist Trap Mysteries by Lynn Cahoon. This book has some changes in the offing. Jill's Aunt Jackie is planning a wedding, Jill is planning her best friend's wedding with her, Greg and her are contemplating their next steps together and Jill's application to have her property declared a historic site based upon the Mission Wall in the backyard has been turned down. When Jill's contact at the Historical Society is run down in front of her, she is sure it was not an accident. As well, she is being hounded by realtors and developers to sell her house. Her business is the target of someone trying to drive her out of business, and she needs to hire at least one new employee. Can she sort everything out, solve a murder and keep Amy's wedding and party on track.

Jill is a wonderful character. She has more energy than anyone I know. Not only does she run a successful business, but she is a big part of the business community in South Cove, keeps fit by jogging with her dog, meets regularly with her friend Amy and helps to solve crimes. I enjoy the characters in this book, including the many secondary ones. It is a very character driven series. The story is well-written with a few sub-plots that all come together nicely by the end. The culprit in the hit and run was on my radar, but it was the mastermind that I was surprised by. Of course the motive is the oldest one in the books, greed. I enjoyed this mystery and visit to South Cove and am looking forward to what is next for Jill, Greg and their friends and family.

I received a copy of Murder In Waiting through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Murder in Waiting is the 11th installment of the Tourist Trap Mystery series. In this book, Jill is faced with planning a Vegas bachelorette party for her best friend Amy, figuring out who is out to ruin her business, Coffee, Books and More, why everyone seems to think her house is for sale and knowing there is a hit and run murderer on the loose.

I have loved the Tourist Trap Mystery series since the first book I read and Murder in Waiting continues the streak. I loved following Jill along in this entertaining and well written mystery. This is the first book in the series that I have read instead of listening to the audiobook version and it’s funny to see different things that pop out, like Jill’s love for food and her obsessive planning. I liked seeing these different things. Murder in Waiting was also the first book that I can remember that started in South Cove but ended somewhere else, Vegas in this case, and I liked that little twist.

Murder in Waiting was yet another great book in the Tourist Trap Mystery series and I can’t wait to see what Lynn Cahoon has in store for Jill next. If you haven’t given this series a try yet, it is definitely worth reading!

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

Book #11 in the series.

I always love visiting South Cove and this book was no exception. It was a fast, fun read. I love that Jill is so human, faults and all. My favorite part of the entire book was the end. Without spoiling anything, I can just say I love Aunt Jackie.

That said, this book was pretty heavy on Bridezillas and wedding stuff, and the mystery almost feels like an afterthought.

As always, I am looking forward to more from Lynn Cahoon.

Murder in Waiting earns 5/5 Escaped Sea Lions...Entertaining Fun!

“No matter what they teach you in high-school, it turns out not everyone can do everything” —Jill Gardner, Murder in Waiting.

Lynn Cahoon has penned another compelling drama with an entertaining look into small towns, land developers, city councils, walls, coffee, books, and murder. Jill has been trying to get the Historical Society to approve her home as a historical spot, yet the official letter sites budget constraints and suggests she reapply next year. The last remaining wall of the South Cove Mission in her backyard and their siting budget! Later Jill is seen by Frank Gleason from the Society, frantic, he questioned whether Jill had seen the letter. After letting him have a big piece of her mind, he says, “Just ignore the letter,” along with “Just don’t do anything stupid.” Jill apologizes for her outburst and thanks Frank. Then from the window of her bookshop, Jill sees Frank standing by his car, animated on his phone, then sideswiped by a black truck...Frank is dead!

The fate of the “Mission Wall” is one key to this story, and sides are drawn between preservation and progress. At first, motive seems obvious, but I’ve read enough Cahoon books to know, my first thoughts always need revising. The murder mystery had plenty of twists, misdirections, and a “Watch out!” ending. Threats. Greed. Abductions. Secrets. Lies. All in the life of a cozy “Tourist Trap” Mystery. Lynn uses a first-person narrative from Jill’s perspective sharing her memories, worries, and inner thoughts to paint a picture of a strong, caring female character who has more intuition (Esmeralda thinks psychic abilities) if she’d just let it flow. Lynn’s writing style incorporates descriptive language to set scenes, appearances, and tone and realistic dialogue to illustrate emotions and personalities. It’s definitely a can’t miss page-turner...all the way to the end! Recipe included...Enjoy Easy, Low-Carb Egg Muffins; prepared ahead of time, then microwaved, and served with fresh fruit.

Tourist Trap is one of my favorite series and this is book 11. I read that it is listed as 11 0f 12 and I'm hoping that this isn't coming to an end. Jill owns the Coffee/Bookstore in a small California town and is helping her friend Amy plan her wedding. Between that and her application being turned down for the bookstore to attain historic status her life is full. Jill's friend and ally Frank is killed in a car accident and it certainly looks suspicious with land developers buying up property in town. Now Jill has to solve the murder, save the store and keep the wedding on track before she is removed from the case. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

3.5 Stars

Welcome back to South Cove, California!

For Jill Gardner, owner of Coffee, Books & More, life never seems short of solving a mystery and a murder. Yet, living a quiet life, along with her Aunt Jackie, her best friend Amy, her physic friend Esmeralda and her handsome South Cove Police—Detective—boyfriend, life couldn’t get any better. Her current issues: having the South Cove Heritage Society approve her bid to mark part of her property as a historical landmark and planning for her best friend Amy’s upcoming wedding. Unfortunately, for Jill, things are about to get complicated and dangerous.

The story begins with the planning events of Jill’s Maid of Honor duties, quickly affecting Jill’s life by the murder-­‐mystery turn of events. The town of South Cove, described with its beautiful beach, quaint stores and diner brings about a sense of welcoming hospitality. The established characters were amusing and enjoyable creating a break from the every growing list of suspicious characters and incidents. A nice change of pace, Jill takes you right along with her investigation. An array of shady characters, a sought-­‐after, beach-­‐side property and a series of menacing occurrences, had me intrigued and kept me reading.

The story was engaging and fun to read. A veteran to investigating cases, from her previous experience as a lawyer, Jill is forthcoming with her information. Having a South Cove police detective for a boyfriend, Jill’s relationship strains from the onslaught of the case. At one point, nothing seems to be going right and everyone seems to be the prime suspect. As the story continues and the case evolves, everything seems to fall into place and just when you think you know…the mystery surprises you and solves itself.

Murder in Waiting is part of the Tourist Trap Mystery Series by Lynn Cahoon, a New York Times Best Selling Author. Clever and entertaining this story had lots of twists and turns, including muddling through some truly unsavory characters and a mystery that kept me guessing. So, go grab yourself a copy, a refreshing iced tea and get ready to solve a mystery.

~ Patricia

Really enjoyed everything about this book, the fun town, interesting characters, and a fast paced story. I look forward to reading more books in this fun series.

There's something engrossing about the way Cahoon tells a cozy mystery that has me coming back for each edition to the Tourist Trap series. Great characters and light mystery gets me through a weekend.

Murder In Waiting
Tourist Trap Mysteries, Book # 11
Lynn Cahoon
5 Stars

Synopsis:

In the latest Tourist Trap mystery from New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, Lynn Cahoon, bookshop café owner Jill Gardner contends with a best friend-turned-bridezilla while trying to solve a local historian’s untimely date with death . . .

At Coffee, Books, & More, Jill’s the boss. But as Amy’s maid-of-honor, she can barely keep up with marching orders—and now she’s in charge of organizing an epic bachelorette! Adding to Jill’s party-planning panic, the South Cove Heritage Society just unceremoniously dumped her historic landmark bid. While vying proposals rush in from a loaded land developer and a pushy travel guide company, Jill finds an unexpected ally in Heritage Society expert, Frank Gleason. But their happy union is cut short when Frank is mowed down in a suspicious hit-and-run. With Amy’s big day on the horizon, Jill vows to catch the killer before she has to catch a bouquet. (Goodreads)

Review:

The characters are well rounded and well developed. Jill has a lot going on, with running Coffee, Books & More, trying to get a historic landmark recognized and being Amy’s maid-of-honor and all that that entails. When someone is killed in a hit-and-run accident, she adds finding the killer to her list of must-do things. And Aunt Jackie has been acting very strange, so Jill needs to figure
out what she is up to.

The writing style flows smoothly and the book is an easy read. The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and these descriptions pulled me into the story right from the very beginning. I felt like I was right there in South Cove, watching all of the action taking place. The mystery was well plotted and there were plenty of clues to sift through and suspects to consider. And if that is not enough for you, there is Amy’s wedding and Aunt Jackie’s secret to figure out.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. Whenever you read a book by this author, you are in for a real treat.

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

Murder in Waiting by Lynn Cahoon is book eleven in the Tourist Trap Mystery series. This is an excellent series and while this could be read as a stand alone, you will want to read the entire series.
Jill's plate is overflowing, she is trying to get her home listed as historical property, her aunt is getting married, she is being constantly being bothered by a land developer, and she has promised to throw her best friend an epic bachelorette party in Vegas! What else could happen..... She witnessed the historical expert working on getting her home listed ran down in a hit and run. Then when strange notes start getting posted on the door of the shop, Jill has had enough and starts asking questions. That might not have been the best idea,
This well written, easy to read cozy is filled with plot twists, a great setting, likeable, relatable characters, humor and romance plus throw in undercover agents.
I was given an ARC by NetGalley and the publisher for an honest review.
.

Murder in Waiting is the eleventh book in Lynn Cahoon’s wonderful Tourist Trap Mystery series. This book has well-developed and relatable characters and moves along at a steady pace. The storyline seemed somewhat disjointed, contains several inconsistencies, and a few things were left unexplained. There are lots of twists and more than a few suspects to keep readers engaged.

Jill Gardner is the owner of Coffee, Books, and More in the small coastal town of South Cove, California. In addition to running her shop, she’s the city council’s business liaison. She enjoys running on the beach with her dog, Emma, spending time with her boyfriend, Detective Greg King, and her best friend, Amy. Jackie Ekroth, Jill’s aunt, recently got back together with her fiancé, Harrold Snider. Jill is somewhat overwhelmed with her duties as maid of honor for Amy, her best friend turned bridezilla. She receives two disturbing letters – one indicating Coffee, Books, and More is responsible for an increase in the monthly Business to Business fees, and the other from the South Cove Heritage Society denying her application to have the partial wall on her property declared a historic landmark. Jill is pleased when Frank Gleason from the Heritage Society approaches tells her the letter was sent in error and that he’ll fix it, but her relief is short-lived when Frank is run down and killed in front of her eyes. As if all of this isn’t enough, an author wants to include the wall in his next book, a developer and realtor are both trying to pressure her to sell her house, and someone appears to be sabotaging her business. As Greg investigates Frank Gleason’s murder, he uncharacteristically accepts Jill’s help. Between the two of them, they discover some surprising things about the victim.

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

Lynn Cahoon never fails to deliver excellent cozy mysteries and this one is no exception.
It's fun to read and engrossing, it was great to meet again the great cast of characters and the solid mystery kept me guessing.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

I’m so happy I got to spend time with Jill, Greg and Emma. I’ve loved all the Lynn Cahoon books I have read. This was an interesting story line with some twists thrown in just to keep you interested. I love the Coffee, Books and More store. How much fun would it be to hang out in a place like that? We see some changes in some of our characters lives in this story. What changes are yet to come? I can’t wait to go back to South Cove and see what happening next. I received this book from NetGalley but my opinion is my own.

Jill certainly has her hands full this time! Best friend Amy is in serious wedding planning mode, a land developer is pushing her to sell her home, someone is trying to hurt her coffee and book store, and she is feeling stressed. Then, the historian working toward declaring her property historic is murdered right before her eyes.
A great addition to this series and one I hope continues for a long while.

Murder in Waiting by Lynn Cahoon is the 1th book in A Tourist Trap Mystery series, and another great addition. Jill Gardner is the owner of Coffee, Books, and More and lives with her police detective boyfriend, Greg. Amy, Jill's best friend is getting married, and as the maid-of-honor she is keeping busy trying to organize the perfect bachelorette party. On top of that, Frank Gleason, the Heritage Society expert is killed in a hit and run right after he talked to Jill, and she saw it happen. I love this series, and was not disappointed by this book. I highly recommend this book/series to all cozy mystery lovers.  I also recommend that you read them in order to get the most out of the books.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.