A Story to Kill

Cat Latimer Mystery Series, Book 1

By: Lynn Cahoon

Narrated by: C. S. E. Cooney

Former English professor Cat Latimer is back in Colorado, hosting writers' retreats in the big blue Victorian she's inherited, much to her surprise, from none other than her carousing ex-husband. Now it's an authors' getaway, but Cat won't let anyone get away with murder.

The bed-and-breakfast is open for business, and best-selling author Tom Cook is among its first guests. Cat doesn't know why he came all the way from New York, but she's glad to have him among the quirkier - and far less famous - attendees.

Cat's high school sweetheart, Seth, who's fixing up the weathered home, brings on mixed emotions for Cat, some of them a little overpowering. But it's her uncle, the local police chief, whom she'll call for help when there's a surprise ending for Tom Cook in his cozy guest room. Will a killer have the last word on the new life Cat has barely begun?

©2016 Lynn Cahoon (P)2016 Tantor

Great beginning

Great new series! The characters and the setting are perfect! There is an ongoing mystery that will be developed, and I look forward to the next one! Romance, mystery, and excitement!!!

An interesting start

I really enjoy the Tourist Trap mysteries by this same author, so if you're new to Lynn Cahoon, you might want to start there.

A Story to Kill is an interesting start to a new series, with a lot of great mystery elements. The main character, Cat, is renovating an enormous old house, complete with its own secrets and surprises) to turn it into a bed and breakfast style writer's retreat. The small-town atmosphere keeps the character connections tight: Cat's ex-husband left her the house. Cat's old flame is doing the renovation. The police chief is a relative of Cat's, easing the way for her investigations. But despite some good bones, the plot jumps around a lot and the relationships, particularly the one with Cat's old flame, seem forced. I'm hoping this series catches its stride in the next book. I have confidence in the author, and I'm looking forward to what comes next.

I think I would've enjoyed it more in written form

I liked the story more than the coffee and bookstore series she's written. I could identify with the characters more readily. however, the narrator was just vested than a robotic voice. I hope the series continues, but with someone different reading it. I could've done it and I'm not a narrator.

3 and a half stars

The plot was okay and the characters were believable. However, the story dragged in some areas and there was too much focus on the relationship between Cat and Tom. Overall it was just okay. I look forward to the next book.

Cliffhanger ending

The ending of this book left me wanting more, and finished on a bit of a cliffhanger. One of the overarching stories continues into the following books in the series, so just a heads up.

Overall I liked the mustery & the premise of this story. Cat can be grumpy & temperamental a lot of the time, and I’m still deciding if I’m fond of her or not.. but the supporting cast was very enjoyable & the narration is wonderfully done!