A Field Guide to Homicide
A Cat Latimer Mystery
by Lynn Cahoon
About A Field Guide To Homicide
Cozy Mystery
6th in Series
Publisher: Kensington (January 28, 2020)
Mass Market Paperback: 288 pages
ISBN-10: 149671685X
ISBN-13: 978-1496716859
Digital ASIN: B07R9SXCQ8
Cat Latimer and her writer’s retreat group go on a hiking trip—but a murderer has been lurking off the beaten path . . .
Cat’s sweetheart, Seth, is going all out on an outing into the local mountains—for the benefit of the writing group Cat’s hosting at her Colorado B&B. But when they try to identify some plant and animal life, they find death instead. The body belongs to a man with a gold claim a few miles away. Instead of striking it rich, he’s been struck down.
To his surprise, Seth recognizes the victim from his military days—and up to now believed he’d already died during his last tour of duty. Now Cat has to solve this mystery before the killer takes a hike . . .''
Cat’s sweetheart, Seth, is going all out on an outing into the local mountains—for the benefit of the writing group Cat’s hosting at her Colorado B&B. But when they try to identify some plant and animal life, they find death instead. The body belongs to a man with a gold claim a few miles away. Instead of striking it rich, he’s been struck down.
To his surprise, Seth recognizes the victim from his military days—and up to now believed he’d already died during his last tour of duty. Now Cat has to solve this mystery before the killer takes a hike . . .''
About Lynn Cahoon
Lynn Cahoon is the award-winning author of several New York Times and USA Today bestselling cozy mystery series.
Lynn Cahoon is the award-winning author of several New York Times and USA Today bestselling cozy mystery series. The Tourist Trap series is set in central coastal California with six-holiday novellas releasing in 2018–2019. She also pens the Cat Latimer series available in mass market paperback. Her newest series, the Farm to Fork mystery series, debuted in 2018. She lives in a small town like the ones she loves to write about with her husband and two fur babies. Sign up for her newsletter at www.lynncahoon.com. She lives in a small town like the ones she loves to write about with her husband and two fur babies.
Author Links
My Thoughts
A Field Guide to Homicide by Lynn Cahoon is the 6th A Cat Latimer Mystery. Cat
Latimer and the group from her current writer’s retreat are on a hike led by
Seth, Cat’s boyfriend. The reach a
resting place when Cat notices a foot sticking out of a huckleberry bush across
the way. The body belongs to a recluse
who lived in the mountains near his gold claim.
The victim is identified as Chance McAllister which Seth says is
impossible. Seth served with Chance who
supposedly died in Germany over ten years ago.
Cat’s curiosity is aroused. It is
lucky that Seth’s unit is having a reunion this week so Cat can do a little
snooping around. I thought A Field Guide
to Homicide contained good writing and the story moved along quickly which made
this cozy mystery easy to read. This
book can be read as a standalone for those new to the series. All the necessary background information is
included. The characters are developed
and realistic. The mystery was unusual
for a cozy in that the reader finds out information along with Cat. We follow her along as she searches for clues
and asks questions. I thought the
mystery could have used a little oomph. I
liked how the whodunit all tied together in the end. I did feel that there was a question or two
left unanswered at the end. There were a
couple side stories happening at the same time.
Shauna has returned from visiting her brother, Jake and it was not the
visit she had hoped it would be. Shauna
must figure out how she will handle Jake’s persistent pestering for money. Seth is very closemouthed about his time in
the army. He will not answer Cat’s questions
and his mood has taken a downswing.
Uncle Pete’s girlfriend, Shirley Mann is visiting from Alaska. Their relationship is progressing nicely and
there might be wedding bells in their future.
The current student from Coventry, Brodie wants to take his writing in a
new direction. He could use a little
guidance. It was interesting to learn
more about the publishing industry. Cat
shares her knowledge with her writer’s retreat group to help them decide
whether to self-publish or go the traditional route. I find Cat and Seth’s relationship to be realistic. They have their ups and downs as do any
couple. A Field Guide to Homicide has
charming cozy moments with writing, chatting, cooking, and eating Shauna’s tasty
food along with a special ending. A Field Guide to Homicide has a calamitous climb, a solitary stiff, a selfish
sibling, a wistful writer, scrumptious cuisine, and a perplexing puzzle.
Excerpt
Uncle Pete met them at the bottom of the trailhead.
“You know, I should have realized it was retreat week and not scheduled Shirley to come out for some R&R.”
“Just because it’s retreat week doesn’t mean that someone is going to die.” Cat felt defensive. “We could have just ignored the man’s leg hanging out of a tree so you could spend time with your girlfriend.”
“That’s not polite.” He shook his head at her.
“You need to be nice to Shirley. She might wind up being your new aunt.” “Really? You two are that serious?” Cat was curious. She’d known that her uncle was dating the retired Alaskan deputy, but she hadn’t thought they would be making wedding plans yet.
“Just because it’s retreat week doesn’t mean that someone is going to die.” Cat felt defensive. “We could have just ignored the man’s leg hanging out of a tree so you could spend time with your girlfriend.”
“That’s not polite.” He shook his head at her.
“You need to be nice to Shirley. She might wind up being your new aunt.” “Really? You two are that serious?” Cat was curious. She’d known that her uncle was dating the retired Alaskan deputy, but she hadn’t thought they would be making wedding plans yet.
“Gotcha. You should see the look on your face.” He motioned to one of his deputies. “Run up with Seth and have him show you what they found so we know where to start looking.”
The deputy nodded and her uncle leaned against his Charger. “You want to take the guests home? Seth should be back down in about ten to fifteen minutes.”
“We’ll wait. I think they’re a little shook up, so having some time to process might be a good thing. Do you really think that my retreat is the issue?” Cat tucked a wayward curl behind her ear.
He pulled her into a hug. “I was kidding. Although Shirley is going to be a little bummed when I have to work all the time. Do you mind putting her up at the house? She made a reservation with Shauna for the bed-and-breakfast part of the retreat, but she might be hanging out with your writers more than we expected.”
The deputy nodded and her uncle leaned against his Charger. “You want to take the guests home? Seth should be back down in about ten to fifteen minutes.”
“We’ll wait. I think they’re a little shook up, so having some time to process might be a good thing. Do you really think that my retreat is the issue?” Cat tucked a wayward curl behind her ear.
He pulled her into a hug. “I was kidding. Although Shirley is going to be a little bummed when I have to work all the time. Do you mind putting her up at the house? She made a reservation with Shauna for the bed-and-breakfast part of the retreat, but she might be hanging out with your writers more than we expected.”
Shirley Mann was a retreat graduate. That’s how she and Uncle Pete met. “I’m fine with her staying at the house. I didn’t really plan for us to be a B-and-B, but Shirley’s almost family, right?”
He grinned. “I’m afraid I’ll have both of you sticking your nose into my investigation this time. But maybe you all can rein yourselves in a bit.”
“We’ll see.” Cat nodded to the SUV, where the four writers stood, looking shell-shocked. “I better go entertain our guests. I am sorry about the body.”
“As long as you didn’t kill him, there’s no reason to be sorry.” He waved her away. “Go do your job, I’ll do mine.”
He grinned. “I’m afraid I’ll have both of you sticking your nose into my investigation this time. But maybe you all can rein yourselves in a bit.”
“We’ll see.” Cat nodded to the SUV, where the four writers stood, looking shell-shocked. “I better go entertain our guests. I am sorry about the body.”
“As long as you didn’t kill him, there’s no reason to be sorry.” He waved her away. “Go do your job, I’ll do mine.”
Are you ready to read A Field Guide to Homicide? A Field Guide to Homicide is available at Amazon*, B&N, Kobo, and Google Play. You can find the other novels in A Cat Latimer Mystery series here. As part of the tour, there is a giveaway for three (3) print copies of A Field Guide to Homicide (sorry, but open to U.S. residents only). You can click here to enter or enter via the Rafflecopter form below. Good Luck! Thank you for stopping by today. I am reviewing The Book of Candlelight by Ellery Adams tomorrow. It is the third A Book, Secret, and Scone Society Novel. I hope that you have a joyful day. Take care and Happy Reading!
Kris
The Avid Reader
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I have wanted to try this series!
ReplyDeletebrowninggloria(at)hotmail(dot)com
Sounds like a book I would enjoy reading. Looking forward to reading.
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