I love this series and this one didn't disappoint. I feel like Jill is one of my best friends and I love visiting her and her friends. The mystery was really well-done and kept my interest. There were twists and turns that I expected and I few that I didn't. I had never been a 'fan' of Josh so I'm glad that we got to know him a bit better.

This book was gripping and hard to put down. It didn't feel like everything else you see out there, it felt very fresh. I really enjoyed this book!

In this latest installment in the Tourist Trap Mystery series, Jill balances her business, Coffee, Books, and More while finishing her MBA and planning her wedding to her police detective fiance, Greg. If that wasn't enough, the fiance of her antiques dealer neighbor, Josh, goes missing before their big day.

While they search for Mandy, Jill learns that Josh had been searching for gold bullion, buried by a bank robber long ago. Things take a turn when the history professor Josh had been talking to about it ends up dead and there's a possibility both cases are connected. This is one of my all time favorite series. Each book brings me back to the lives of the characters Lynn Cahoon does such a masterful job of bringing to life and connecting readers with. This book felt like a dual mystery, which I really enjoyed. I can't wait to visit with Jill and the other residents of South Cove again.

Thank you to #NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this amazing book.

A great addition to an incredible series! Wonderful characters in an incredible setting. This book will keep you guessing until the end.

Jill Gardner has a lot on her plate. She's planning her wedding and finishing her MBA while running Coffee, Books, and More. If that isn't enough, her friend's fiancé goes missing and her professor-friend is murdered. Are these events connected?

I always enjoy reading Lynn Cahoon’s books, but I felt like the 'solutions' to these mysteries were a bit disappointing. That won't stop me from reading more of her books.

#OliveYoutoDeath

It’s official! The Tourist Trap series by Lynn Cahoon is one of my favorites. And Olive You to Death, the sixteenth book in this venerable series is everything a cozy mystery should be. With a couple of clever mysteries, a smart and lovable sleuth, and a wonderful hometown setting, this book brings adventure and comfort to every page.

Jill Gardner and her fiancé, Greg King, are not the only couple in South Cove with pending nuptials. The formerly curmudgeonly antiques dealer, Josh Thomas, has mellowed and is now engaged to Mandy Jensen. He also has obtained a bank robber’s old journal that may lead to a treasure buried decades ago. Eager to retrieve the treasure, Josh enlists one of Jill’s former history professors to help in the search. As if that wasn’t enough drama, Mandy, it seems, has disappeared. Josh’s desperation to find her is matched only by Jill and Greg’s determination to keep him out of trouble. But when the professor is murdered, the ante is upped. What happened to Mandy? Was she abducted, or did she leave of her own accord? Who killed the professor? And are these two things in some way related?

There is so much to like about this book. The mysteries are intriguing and compelling, complete with plenty of clues and misdirection to keep Jill and Greg guessing. The plot line involving hidden treasure and secret caves has a very fresh “Nancy Drew” vibe. The subplots, too, are fantastic. Jill’s pursuit of her MBA develops her character more fully. Likewise, the people of South Cove are engaging and colorful. After sixteen books, Jill and Greg are like old friends, while series regulars Esmeralda and Deek offer unique perspectives and aid to the investigations. And while I am not entirely happy with the news about Aunt Jackie (who is my favorite character), I’m interested in seeing how it plays out. Everything in this novel ties out perfectly, even the use of the olive tree allegory which concludes with a bit of semi-philosophical wisdom.

Once again, Lynn Cahoon has hit it out of the park. Not only is Olive You to Death an outstanding cozy mystery, the whole series is a delight. If you haven’t started reading it yet, I suggest that you start at the beginning, with Guidebook to Murder, or alternately the recently released prequel novella, Murder in a Tourist Town. This is one series you won’t want to miss.

Note: I received an ARC of Olive You to Death from NetGalley and Kensington Publishing, Lyrical Press. The above is my honest review.

This series just keeps getting better and better. I really liked getting to know Josh more in this one. I loved seeing him mellow out and find love. We got to see some returning faces in this one and that was great!

Princess Fuzzypants here: Josh has discovered journals from a fabled old west robber whom. legend has it, buried treasure after a big gold robbery. Josh has also found something else: love. And Mandy has uncovered a soft centre in the curmudgeonly gent so much so that Jill is happy to help him try to find the trove. But when a professor who was trying to help Josh figure out the journals is murdered and Mandy disappears, the lark is suddenly more serious. Greg asks Jill to keep Josh busy so he and his fellow cops can conduct the two investigations. But as Greg comments, even when she is not doing anything dangerous, she has the habit of stumbling into danger and this time is no different.

The relationships have always been at the core of this series. It is no surprise that while the mysteries are being unwound, there are some side stories evolving too. One is Jill and Greg’s wedding that is running into some challenges. Then there is Jill’s aunt who has announced she wants to retire and Jill is going to have to restructure the bookshop whilst finishing up her MBA. Babysitting Josh is no easy matter either as he becomes increasingly distressed the longer Mandy is gone.

I enjoyed the way the story played out. I did suspect our villain but it did not detract in any way. Like I said, it is the relationships that are the foundation of these stories. Five purrs and two paws up.

I love cozy mysteries and this one was great. The first book I read from this author and it won’t be the last! The novel kept my interest and so many red herrings and suspects that kept me guessing until the end.

Jill is excited about finally getting her MBA but disappointed that she had to postpone her wedding for a bit. She still wants to honor her achievement and a girls weekend sounds like the best way to do that. While out of town Mandy Jensen disappeared right before her wedding to Josh Thomas. Did the soon to be bride runway or was it something more nefarious? Jill's fiance Greg is looking at the groom as the main suspect in the disappearance but can't handle being around the man. Greg looks to Jill for help because she has a way with people. When someone ends up dead and there is still no sign of Mandy Jill knows she mist dig deeper. Follow along as she tries to put all the pieces together in hopes of figuring out just what is going on and why! Great series that is always a fun read.

To everyone’s surprise, Josh Thomas is getting married. Jill and Greg are still engaged and have postponed their wedding for a couple of months. I do not think these two should get married due to their lack of trust. Jill does not trust Greg to do his job and Greg does not trust Jill not to interfere in his investigations. I get the feeling that this series may be wrapping up soon.

I love this series. This is a fast read, I finished in about 3 hours. I love that the characters are constantly developing & growing. #OliveYoutoDeath #NetGalley

Things are looking up at the Coffee, Books, and more store for Jill finally getting her MBA even though her wedding has been postponed a few months she still has plenty to celebrate. Josh Thomas and Mandy Jensen are planning a small private ceremony under the Olive trees on the historic Jensen farm until Mandy goes missing? In this case a runway bride or a guilty groom? Greg zeros in on Josh as prime suspect but finds him so annoying he asks Jill for help keeping him distracted. She knows Josh is searching for more than his fiancé a bank robbers buried gold bullion when the professor he was discussing it with turns up dead too Jill can’t help wondering if what looked like cold feet was actually a cold-blooded murder. This was a very enjoyable story. I really enjoy reading Lynn Cahoon stories the are always entertaining and recommend to everyone.

Olive You to Death is the 16th Tourist Trap Mystery by Lynn Cahoon. Set in coastal California tourist town, it follows Jill as she is completing her MBA, preparing for her upcoming wedding to Greg and dealing with her Aunt's upcoming retirement from her book shop, Coffee, Books, and More.
The mystery begins when her shop neighbour Josh announces he is getting married as well and shortly after his bride to be disappears. There's also a mystery surrounding a journal Josh discovered that may lead to hidden treasure near town. Is the disappearance related to the treasure, did Mandy just get cold feet? Jill gets pulled into the investigation as always between everything else she has going on.
This series is always cozy, like visiting an old friend because I have been following it for so long. I wish there was more personal moments between characters to fill out the story instead of so much talk about Jill going to the library, Jill running on the beach, Jill cooking etc. I want more meat and less potatoes! I felt there was so much time spent on Jill's final MBA paper which distracted from the mystery and getting invested in the book.
That said as a long time reader I still enjoyed this book and would pick up the next.

South Cove is having their business-to-business meeting at Jill Gardner's Coffee, Books, and More; everything seems fine until Josh Thomas, the local antiques dealer and problem child, stands up to make an announcement. Most think he just has another problem, but this announcement is different -- he and his fiancée, Mandy Jensen, are getting married in a month and he wants to invite everyone to the reception. Congratulations all around, and life seems to go back to normal.

That is, until Mandy disappears. Completely. But Jill's friends and her own fiancé, Police Chief Greg King, wants her to go on her girlfriends' weekend getaway and not worry about it. But things have already gotten sticky -- she finds out Josh has a journal of an old bank robber who settled in South Cove, and it might be the real deal. So real, Jill's former professor is interested in pursuing it. While she tries to enjoy herself, things keep popping up that just don't seem like Mandy; a missed wedding dress appointment, for starters.

Jill returns home and finds that Mandy is still missing, and Josh is going crazy; so much so that Greg asks her to keep him company so he can get work done. But Josh drags Jill into his hunt for the bank robber's hidden treasure, and there are other circumstances that make her wonder if Mandy's disappearance isn't connected to it somehow.

Now Jill has to worry about her own wedding plans as well as figure out where Mandy is. Greg, meanwhile, is involved in a murder case -- one that might connect the dots. Will Jill be able to get her wedding on track? And will they figure out what happened to Mandy and who killed the dead man?

This is the sixteenth book in the series and I have read them all. I love the characters of South Cove, they are realistic and believable. You are drawn into the story from the beginning, and kept there throughout the mystery. It is written well, and Ms. Cahoon has a talent for words and descriptions of what we are reading (and imagining).

Everything is twisted together loosely, and it is up to the reader to pull the threads together to find the answers before Jill (as we know that she will!). I will say that I was surprised at who the murderer was; it was totally unexpected, which is a very good thing. The disappearance of Mandy was also handled well, and it gave us a great story.

The ending comes together beautifully, with everything just as it should be; there are new beginnings and goodbyes (sort of); and it makes us want to read the next in the series immediately. Recommended.

This addition to Lynn Cahoon's A Tourist Trap Mystery series was fresh and engaging. In the past Jill's behavior and choices have seemed decidedly unrealistic, but not so in the case of 'Olive You to Death'. I am so invested in all of these characters and their town. It was especially nice to see a new side to Josh Thomas. I'm also appreciative of the progress Jill and Greg are making toward their marriage. I recommend this entire series as a delightful example of the cozy mystery genre.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Olive You to Death is the latest in the Tourist Trap Mystery series by Lynn Cahoon. I loved getting to catch up with Jill and Greg and the rest of the South Cove residents. Someone meets a violent demise and Jill is hot on the case to figure out who is responsible. Will Jill figure out who the murderer is before she becomes the killer’s next victim? Read Olive You to Death to find out.

I loved this book. I'm a huge Lynn Cahoon fan and can never put her books down when I get my hands on one. This book was interesting and had me trying to figure out the mystery the whole way through.

I have loved the books I have read so far in the Tourist Trap series by Lynn Cahoon. I keep being amazed at her ability to keep me invested in the story and that each book is better than the one before. Lots of twists and turns and clues that will keep you guessing until the very end. The characters are so richly developed and the story line has you flipping through the pages quickly to see how the book ends. Lynn Cahoon is one of my favorite cozy mystery writers and she continues to blow me away with her fun and interesting mysteries. I can’t wait to visit with Jill and the rest of the residents of South Cove.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

For more reviews, please visit my blog at: https://www.msladybugsbookreviews.com/. Over 1000 reviews posted!

Olive You to Death
(Tourist Trap 16)
Lynn Cahoon




We are back in South Cove the #1 tourist town in southern California!
I love visiting with Jill and the gang.
In this episode, Josh has announced that he and Mandy are getting married and the whole business-to-business group is invited. Talk about a shocker! Jill confirms with Darla and Amy that the girl’s trip is still planned for the upcoming weekend. She’s also using the time as her bachelorette outing. The ladies including Esmeralda are going over to Santa Barbara to celebrate and finalize wedding preparations. This does not go exactly as planned, this is now the third or fourth time the wedding has needed to be changed. Frankly, I’m tired for poor Jill with the changes this wedding has gone through. Unfortunately, there are more stormy waters ahead. Jill finds out her ceremony is being canceled because they are not catholic and a priest must lead the ceremony. She also only received 80% of her deposit back. I think this is highly unfair, but while scrambling to find a new venue, girls' weekend and other things she learns another bride is having even worse luck… she’s missing! It turns out that Jill may have been the last person to talk with Mandy before her disappearance. Josh is distraught to say the least but he becomes inconsolable, when Professor Wellborn, is found murdered in his office! Turns out Josh found the diary of Gabriel Santiago, who was said to have left a hidden fortune. He had been working with the professor in secret to authenticate the findings. On top of all that Aunt Jackie lets Jill know she needs to speak with her… the hits just keep coming!

I loved everything about this story. Every new book feels like a visit with old friends, you never want them to leave. 5*****

#OliveYoutoDeath #TouristTrap #LynnCahoon #bookstore #coffee #mystery #cozy




Thank you to Netgalley, Ms. Cahoon, and the publisher for the ARC.