An Amateur Sleuth's Guide to Murder by Lynn Cahoon

 An Amateur Sleuth's Guide to Murder

Book Summary

New York Times bestselling author Lynn Cahoon makes her hardcover debut with an irresistible new meta-mystery series about an amateur sleuth who doesn’t just solve crimes, she writes about how to do it . . .

TIP #1: WHAT DOESN’T KILL YOU COUNTS AS WORK EXPERIENCE

Meg Gates could use a guidebook for life. Indeed, she’s faced some challenges. She dropped out of college to work for a tech startup that failed—and her fiancé just took her bridesmaid to Italy on what was supposed to be Meg’s honeymoon.

Now, at twenty-six, Meg has taken the ferry ride of shame from Seattle back to Bainbridge Island to live with her family. At least she has her rescue cocker spaniel, Watson, by her side. But it’s Meg who could use a rescue—and she’s hoping it will come in the form of a part-time gig doing research for a bestselling mystery writer.

Bainbridge Island Ferry

TIP #2: WRITE WHAT YOU KNOW – OR WHAT YOU WANT TO KNOW

That’s when the lightbulb goes on: Meg will write her own guidebook—a manual on criminal investigation. But before she can impress her new boss with her pet project, the author’s manager is found dead on the rocks beneath the author’s Gothic mansion.

Now it’s time to put her guide to the test, as Meg sets out to clear her employer of suspicion and solve the crime. But there’s one important caveat she’ll have to add to her guide—

TIP #3: BEWARE OF UNKNOWN DANGERS

Bainbridge Island Downtown

My Thoughts

An Amateur Sleuth’s Guide to Murder by Lynn Cahoon Is the first A Bainbridge Island Mystery.  The story is easy to read, but I found the pacing to be leisurely (needed a little more pep). Eliminating repetitive details would have helped.  I like Meg as well as her family, friends, and dog (such a cutie).  The characters need more fleshing out, so they have more personality like Watson, Meg’s dog.  I enjoyed the descriptions of Bainbridge Island (a great place to live in the spring, summer, and fall).  

Hobbit home on Bainbridge Island

The mystery was uncomplicated and a cinch to solve.  I wish the whodunit had been more complex and at the forefront of the story.  It took a backseat to Meg’s two jobs, walking Watson, eating (fish and chips as well as Chinese food were two favorites), and spending time with friends and family.  While Meg says she is not ready for another romantic relationship, she certainly thinks about it a lot.  An Amateur Sleuth’s Guide to Murder is a nice story, but I want it to be less women’s fiction and more cozy mystery (emphasis on mystery).  An Amateur Sleuth’s Guide to Murder has a ferry journey, beautiful Bainbridge Island, a murdered literary agent, unique assignments, old friends, an inkling of an idea, and delectable mac & cheese.

Beautiful view while shopping on Bainbridge Island

An Amateur Sleuth’s Guide to Murder is available from Amazon.  The next A Tourist Trap Mystery is a Merry Murder Season and it will be out on November 4. You can find Lynn Cahoon's other novels here.  Thank you for dropping by today.  On Thursday, June 26, I am stop on the Celebrate Lit tour for Following the Clues by Dana Mentink. It is the fourth book in the Security Hounds Investigations series.  I hope that you have cheery day.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book.  I am not required to leave a review.  The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.

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