Merry Murder Season

A wonderful visit to a coastline city. Good friends and murder; with a few twists and turns in the story. It almost makes me want to jog on the beach.

Merry Murder Season is book 18 in Lynn Cahoon's A Tourist Trap Mystery series and it is a good addition to this wonderful series. Jill Gardner King and her husband Police Chief Greg King are hosting Thanksgiving for Greg's Mom Amanda, his brother Jim and Jim's fiance Beth and some of their friends. It ends up being stressful because Jim and Beth are fighting which goes on for most of the book. Diner owner Lille brings her boyfriend Dominic and Lille doesn't like Jill. Luckily most of the.guests are local and Greg's family is staying nearby so they only need to get through the day. Jill volunteered to help at a charity dart tournament which ends up being fun until a dead body turns up. There aren't many suspects and I guessed the culprit about halfway but I wasn't sure until near the end. Jill and Beth are close friends and become closer as they spend a lot of time together. Beth has some decisions to make about her job and education and Jim. The discussions between Jill and Beth were interesting and Beth is a great new character. I hope we see more of her. Jill hires two new part time employees for Coffee, Books and more. Jill's Aunt Jackie and Uncle Harrold are away on a cruise but get back near the end. Jill's best friend Amy is around to help with info for their investigation. I like how Jill stumbles upon the culprit with minimal peril or suspense. The bookstore staff are more like friends than employees. Toby is on the police force so he is working with Greg instead of at the bookstore. Evie, Deek, Judith, and Tilly are working at the bookstore and training the two new employees. By the end of the book, it is almost Christmas with cookie baking, shopping and festive music. I always enjoy my time in South Cove! This is an enjoyable cozy mystery and I am glad there are more books! I got the book from my local library.#MerryMurderSeason #ATouristTrapMystery #LyricalPress #KensingtonCozies #KensingtonPublishing

Loved this one!! It ended (quite satisfactorily) and I still wanted more!! Jill is back with most of the crew, (Aunt Jackie and Harold are missing except for an occasional mention as they have embraced the cruising lifestyle) but there are new friends and associates to get to know and like! In an attempt to boost the money that is being raised for needy children, Jill offers to help organize a dart tournament on Black Friday evening. Seeing as how this is a cozy mystery, someone finishes the night murdered. Jill swears she won't investigate, and she really tries to stay out of it, but can she help it if clues just happen to fall into her lap?!There are some changes in the main characters, which I think will add more drama and excitement to the next (Dare we hope?) few books. I for one, can't wait to read about them.

This book had an engaging plot with interesting characters and a believable small town setting. Looking forward to the next book in the series.

I didn't realized how much I missed these characters and South Cove. An amazing read to the very end. Well written mystery as I didn't figure it out until the end. I love all of this authors series. Now the wait begins for the next one....