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A Tourist Trap Mystery #18
Merry Murder Season
Jill Gardner—or as she’s now known, Jill King—is working to provide gifts for needy kids this Christmas. But someone’s about to puncture the holiday spirit . . .
Jill’s store, Coffee, Books, and More, is co-sponsoring a charity dart tournament on Thanksgiving weekend with Chip’s Bar, where toys and cash will be collected. She and her new husband, Greg, will be competing as well—that is, if Greg’s brother and his girlfriend don’t ruin the evening. But the event leads to something much worse than a family squabble when the bar owner is found dead the next morning after being used as a human dartboard . . .
Jill and her police-detective hubby both aim to find the killer—but scoring a bullseye will be hard since the place was packed with a rowdy crowd of locals and a platoon of stuffed-animal-toting, very competitive motorcyclists. And with the night’s big haul of cash donations left untouched, what could possibly be the motive for this murder?
Jill’s store, Coffee, Books, and More, is co-sponsoring a charity dart tournament on Thanksgiving weekend with Chip’s Bar, where toys and cash will be collected. She and her new husband, Greg, will be competing as well—that is, if Greg’s brother and his girlfriend don’t ruin the evening. But the event leads to something much worse than a family squabble when the bar owner is found dead the next morning after being used as a human dartboard . . .
Jill and her police-detective hubby both aim to find the killer—but scoring a bullseye will be hard since the place was packed with a rowdy crowd of locals and a platoon of stuffed-animal-toting, very competitive motorcyclists. And with the night’s big haul of cash donations left untouched, what could possibly be the motive for this murder?
196 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 4, 2025
186 people are currently reading
5557 people want to read
About the author
Lynn Cahoon
105 books2,371 followersNYT and USA Today bestselling author, Lynn Cahoon, writes the Tourist Trap, Cat Latimer, Farm-to-Fork, Kitchen Witch, Survivors' Book Club, the Haunted Life, and the Bainbridge Island cozy mystery series. No matter where the mystery is set, readers can expect a fun ride Sign up for her newsletter at www.lynncahoon.com
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
November 1, 2025
Thank you Kensington for my advanced copy.
It should be said, if you shy away from holiday books like I usually do, this is not a holiday book. This is a mystery that just happens to take place during a festive time of year.
This book was an easy, simple read. Charming and cozy. If you are a fast reader I can easily see this being read in one day/night. This is my first read of a Tourist Trap Mystery by Lynn Cahoon. I don't understand the series as named "Tourist Trap." This book had everything to do with non-tourists. I wouldn't label a small idyllic town necessarily a tourist "trap," so that missed the mark on me. Admittedly, reading more of the series may help some, but this book can stand on its own.
Regardless, this played like a Holiday Hallmark mystery in my head while reading. Well written and entertaining in the moment, but I could take it or leave it.
It should be said, if you shy away from holiday books like I usually do, this is not a holiday book. This is a mystery that just happens to take place during a festive time of year.
This book was an easy, simple read. Charming and cozy. If you are a fast reader I can easily see this being read in one day/night. This is my first read of a Tourist Trap Mystery by Lynn Cahoon. I don't understand the series as named "Tourist Trap." This book had everything to do with non-tourists. I wouldn't label a small idyllic town necessarily a tourist "trap," so that missed the mark on me. Admittedly, reading more of the series may help some, but this book can stand on its own.
Regardless, this played like a Holiday Hallmark mystery in my head while reading. Well written and entertaining in the moment, but I could take it or leave it.
December 2, 2025
I feel like maybe I was a little lost because I haven’t read any of the other books in the series, but I felt like it focused more on the what was going on in the character’s life than on the mystery itself. It was still a good read, and I loved books based around the holiday’s.
December 13, 2025
The only mystery in this book is what Beth sees in Jim.
Jill does little to no sleuthing, but we do get a full plot of family drama, Christmas baking, bookstore management, and potential romantic drama for side characters.
What we do not get is suspects. We know it wasn't the dead man's off-and-on again wife, and we know it wasn't the head of the local motorcycle gang. And the perpetrator is easy to guess because pretty much everyone else is a recurring character. So... mystery it was not.
Look, Lynn Cahoon has 7 ongoing series. The issue is across all of them. I generally like her writing, but she goes off on a tangent and forgets we're in a mystery. It's not even a cozy mystery. It's like the characters have been told "stay out of it" so many times that they react as they would in real life: they stay out of it. But stories are not real life, and if you're going to base a mystery series around a character (and this one is first person) then they're going to have to not listen.
Jill does little to no sleuthing, but we do get a full plot of family drama, Christmas baking, bookstore management, and potential romantic drama for side characters.
What we do not get is suspects. We know it wasn't the dead man's off-and-on again wife, and we know it wasn't the head of the local motorcycle gang. And the perpetrator is easy to guess because pretty much everyone else is a recurring character. So... mystery it was not.
Look, Lynn Cahoon has 7 ongoing series. The issue is across all of them. I generally like her writing, but she goes off on a tangent and forgets we're in a mystery. It's not even a cozy mystery. It's like the characters have been told "stay out of it" so many times that they react as they would in real life: they stay out of it. But stories are not real life, and if you're going to base a mystery series around a character (and this one is first person) then they're going to have to not listen.
December 16, 2025
I didn't care for this book at all. The plot was pretty mundane, the characters flat, the scene not well set, not one thing described or explained. The main character owns a bookstore that apparently everyone else runs for her while she skips about town being irritating. The unresolved brother-in-law and his fiancee drama running through the entire book was stupid. Since I've no plans to read any additional volumes in this series, it will have to remain unresolved for me - no problem since I couldn't possibly care less - as will a number of other things in this book that weren't even remotely explained. Oh well.
*I won this from Goodreads in exchange for an honest review.*
*I won this from Goodreads in exchange for an honest review.*
November 15, 2025
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.
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.
November 16, 2025
I won this book off Goodreads. The book was okay. I wished I would have read the first ones before this one. There were a lot of characters and sometimes it was hard to keep the straighter. I wished there was more trying to solve the murder. The first 100 pages seemed to just talk about Jill and her everyday life.
November 17, 2025
A charity Dart Tournament turns dead!y in Lynn Canon's Tourist Trap #18
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! #MerryMurderSeason #ATouristTrapMystery #LyricalPress #KensingtonCozies #KensingtonPublishing
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! #MerryMurderSeason #ATouristTrapMystery #LyricalPress #KensingtonCozies #KensingtonPublishing
January 3, 2026
When Greg and Jill attend a fund raiser to support needy families at Christmas time, they never expect that the dart tournament would result in the torture death of the bar owner across the street. Money was not taken so the motive for the torment is veiled in mystery. Jill becomes involved in investigating the murder. At the same time, she tries to stay out of the conflict between Greg’s brother Jim and his fiancée Beth. Beth is a wonderful person, and Jill promises to consider her a sister even if the wedding plans blow up. Jim is insistent that Beth should be a full-time homemaker while Beth has her eyes set on a professorship when she finishes her degree.
The plot is also complicated by a motorcycle gang that attended the tournament. Dom, its leader, is interested in reforming the gang, keeping the motorcycles but dropping the drugs and rivalries. He is also dating Lille who owns the only restaurant in town and for some unknown reason despises Jill. Also popping up in this book are Jill’s surfing friend Amy and the town dispatcher and psychic Esmeralda. Jill never knows quite what to think of Esmeralda who always seems to vaguely know more about the town happenings than anyone else. Jill’s dog Emma is ever present in this story, but does not play an important role.
Another subplot is concerned with Matty, a newcomer to South Cove, who is hateful to all except Josh, the one man she wants to use in an illegal scheme. Josh has never been very likable himself, but his new wife Mandy is bringing out the best in him. Jill and others circle around him as “South Cove takes care of its own.”
Like all of Lynn Cahoon’s cozy mysteries, this one is full of action and likable characters. The setting is Thanksgiving leading into Christmas, a busy time in the tourist town. I always enjoy a visit with the characters in South Cove and Merry Murder Season is no exception.
The plot is also complicated by a motorcycle gang that attended the tournament. Dom, its leader, is interested in reforming the gang, keeping the motorcycles but dropping the drugs and rivalries. He is also dating Lille who owns the only restaurant in town and for some unknown reason despises Jill. Also popping up in this book are Jill’s surfing friend Amy and the town dispatcher and psychic Esmeralda. Jill never knows quite what to think of Esmeralda who always seems to vaguely know more about the town happenings than anyone else. Jill’s dog Emma is ever present in this story, but does not play an important role.
Another subplot is concerned with Matty, a newcomer to South Cove, who is hateful to all except Josh, the one man she wants to use in an illegal scheme. Josh has never been very likable himself, but his new wife Mandy is bringing out the best in him. Jill and others circle around him as “South Cove takes care of its own.”
Like all of Lynn Cahoon’s cozy mysteries, this one is full of action and likable characters. The setting is Thanksgiving leading into Christmas, a busy time in the tourist town. I always enjoy a visit with the characters in South Cove and Merry Murder Season is no exception.
November 10, 2025
I always look forward to a new adventure with my Tourist Trap series friends, and when you throw in the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays as a backdrop, it just makes things even better. Greg's family is in town for Thanksgiving, and although Jim and Beth are a bit at odds about a new job opportunity for her, the holiday is a good one with friends and family around the table. The next day, Jill drags the crowd to a holiday fundraiser at the local bar and a darts tournament. Unfortunately, the next morning, the bar owner is found dead, tortured in his own establishment. As usual, Greg wants Jill to stay out of it, and she really does try, with a store busy for the holidays, the need to add to her employee list, not to mention the fact that Beth has decided to stay behind with Jill and Greg while she figures out her future Jill has plenty of distractions. You just have to know, though, that with that busy brain, connections to people and opportunities to pick up information at the store and all over town, she's going to pick up some valuable clues. This book included a lot of transitions, there is a lot going on in South Cove with Jill's friends, family, and friend enemies. This should make the next book in the series quite interesting. #MerryMurderSeason #ATouristTrapMystery #LynnCahoon #bookreview #bookideas #retiredreader
November 18, 2025
"Merry Murder Season" is book #18 in "A Tourist Trap Mystery" by Lynn Cahoon.
Greg's mom Amanda, his brother Jim and his girlfriend Beth are visiting for Thanksgiving. It should be a fun visit except that Jim and Beth are fighting and the day after a charity dart tournament, a bar owner is found dead.
The victim didn't have a great reputation and their had been questions of what he may have been into. The method was brutal but the reason for killing him took a while to figure out. Several potential suspect that took some time to verify alibis. There were a couple of people I didn't trust early on so wasn't overly surprised to see who was arrested. Getting to the reveal and arrest were well done with some interesting pieces that I didn't see coming.
In a separate plot, Jim is being an idiot in expecting Beth to become a stay-at-home wife once they are married despite her having a career and working towards her dream job. I was proud of Beth for standing up to him and refusing to bow to his antiquated ideas of a woman's place. I loved the bonding between Jill and Beth and how well she fit into life in South Cove. Subplots with Lille and Josh were also interesting and added to the overall story.
Overall, an entertaining cozy holiday mystery. Will be interesting to see just how Ms. Cahoon follows up with the next adventure with these characters.
Greg's mom Amanda, his brother Jim and his girlfriend Beth are visiting for Thanksgiving. It should be a fun visit except that Jim and Beth are fighting and the day after a charity dart tournament, a bar owner is found dead.
The victim didn't have a great reputation and their had been questions of what he may have been into. The method was brutal but the reason for killing him took a while to figure out. Several potential suspect that took some time to verify alibis. There were a couple of people I didn't trust early on so wasn't overly surprised to see who was arrested. Getting to the reveal and arrest were well done with some interesting pieces that I didn't see coming.
In a separate plot, Jim is being an idiot in expecting Beth to become a stay-at-home wife once they are married despite her having a career and working towards her dream job. I was proud of Beth for standing up to him and refusing to bow to his antiquated ideas of a woman's place. I loved the bonding between Jill and Beth and how well she fit into life in South Cove. Subplots with Lille and Josh were also interesting and added to the overall story.
Overall, an entertaining cozy holiday mystery. Will be interesting to see just how Ms. Cahoon follows up with the next adventure with these characters.
November 6, 2025
Merry Murder Season, the 18th book in Lynn Cahoon's A Tourist Trap Mystery series, is my favorite book yet. Jill doesn't mind entertaining Greg's family while he investigates a murder if only his brother wasn't such a pain in the neck, but this time he and Beth have a disagreement that leaves him acting like a pouting child. The store is doing great business which would be awesome, but Toby is tied up with the investigation and Deke, a soon to be published author, will be pulled out for days as the release demands marketing hours; he has taken over so much of the managerial work that Jill doesn't want to pick up. Lil, yes, restaurant dictator Lil, is eyeing Jill in a way that she fears will get her banned from the diner even though it has nothing to do with her! Greg is looking at her boyfriend as a suspect in that murder, and sweet church secretary Beth is spending too much time with the attractive motorcycle club president. In spite of the murder, the book carries a pleasant holiday feel.
December 9, 2025
I have not read any of the books before and this is book number 18. The first half of the book I was overwhelmed with all the different people that are in the main character’s daily life. It felt like a revolving door on the set of a movie with everybody in and out. I’m sure there’s been a buildup throughout the series of different characters being introduced and getting to know them. It was just a bit too much for me. I like to get straight to the murder mystery and solving it. I thought it would be a little more Christmasy as it seemed like a holiday book, but I really didn’t get that feeling. I felt sorry for her future sister-in-law who was dealing with a fiancé that felt like they shouldn’t be getting married. Some family drama can add a bit to a cozy mystery. But for some reason that just bothered me. I think if you’ve been a faithful reader of the series, this would be an enjoyable book.
December 9, 2025
A long running series that still provides entertainment and a satisfying mystery.
Merry Murder Season is the eighteenth installment in the Tourist Trap cozy mystery series. Jill is settling into marriage and they are hosting Greg’s family for Thanksgiving. Greg’s brother, Jim, and his fiancé are in town and Jim is being Jim. Unfortunately Jim being Jim is causing his fiancé, Beth, to question if marriage is right for them. Beth stays on after the holiday and finds herself helping Jill solve a murder of a neighboring business owner.
There was much to unpack in this holiday mystery and it has provided many opportunities for excitement in hopefully future books. I did enjoy the break from Jill’s stalwart aunt. She is a great character but one a break is needed for every so often.
You can read each book as a standalone but it truly is best in order so you can appreciate the growth of characters through the years.
Merry Murder Season is the eighteenth installment in the Tourist Trap cozy mystery series. Jill is settling into marriage and they are hosting Greg’s family for Thanksgiving. Greg’s brother, Jim, and his fiancé are in town and Jim is being Jim. Unfortunately Jim being Jim is causing his fiancé, Beth, to question if marriage is right for them. Beth stays on after the holiday and finds herself helping Jill solve a murder of a neighboring business owner.
There was much to unpack in this holiday mystery and it has provided many opportunities for excitement in hopefully future books. I did enjoy the break from Jill’s stalwart aunt. She is a great character but one a break is needed for every so often.
You can read each book as a standalone but it truly is best in order so you can appreciate the growth of characters through the years.
November 28, 2025
Time to focus on work and not killers.’
The holiday season is upon South Cove. Jill’s in-laws are visiting (Not a merry time), the new jewelry store is burglarized and the local bar owner is found murdered the morning after a charity event so Greg is super busy and Jill’s got hosting duties all to herself, lucky girl. As always she tries not to get herself (and her new partner in crime, Beth, hopefully her future sister in law) involved in the case until she realizes that’s just who she is and more importantly, who Greg fell in love with. As much as her world has and is changing, that’s the constant here and why we all keep coming back. Another fine outing in the books for this wonderful author!
The holiday season is upon South Cove. Jill’s in-laws are visiting (Not a merry time), the new jewelry store is burglarized and the local bar owner is found murdered the morning after a charity event so Greg is super busy and Jill’s got hosting duties all to herself, lucky girl. As always she tries not to get herself (and her new partner in crime, Beth, hopefully her future sister in law) involved in the case until she realizes that’s just who she is and more importantly, who Greg fell in love with. As much as her world has and is changing, that’s the constant here and why we all keep coming back. Another fine outing in the books for this wonderful author!
November 26, 2025
This is the eighteenth book in the Tourist Trap Mystery series. It’s Thanksgiving weekend when a fundraiser at a local bar turns to death.
There were plenty of suspects, twists and turns. I loved each mis-direction.
Throw in the family drama with Amanda, Beth and Jim an you have an eye-rolling mystery drama. I loved how it all meshed and gave us a wonderful mystery that so happened around Thanksgiving.
I listened to the book via Hoopla from my library.
There were plenty of suspects, twists and turns. I loved each mis-direction.
Throw in the family drama with Amanda, Beth and Jim an you have an eye-rolling mystery drama. I loved how it all meshed and gave us a wonderful mystery that so happened around Thanksgiving.
I listened to the book via Hoopla from my library.
January 2, 2026
Christmas in sleepy South Cove. Mystery, mayhem and murder … but of course on Christmas. Love Jill King, the coffee / bookshop owner. Her husband Greg King, Police Chief of South Cove, CA. A cast of wonderful and unique characters all considered to be ‘family’. I have thoroughly enjoyed this series and look forward to reading more books by Lynn Cahoon.
November 17, 2025
Set in a small California coastal town, the owner of Coffee, Books and More, must deal with family issues, the holiday season, staffing issues and the murder of the local bar owner. Good characters - plot holds the reader - nice cozy.
November 21, 2025
Christmas, books, coffee and murder
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.
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.
December 20, 2025
Everything about this series makes me wanting the next one. The town is cozy with relatable characters. I enjoyed the relationship that Jill and Beth shared and hope that Beth is in future reads. The mystery as always is interesting and kept me guessing.
November 10, 2025
The perfect cozy mystery. I enjoy these books-the characters, the plots and the scenery! Please keep it up, Lynn Cahoon
November 14, 2025
I love this series, it was great to be back in South Cove with Jill, Greg and the gang.
November 27, 2025
Love this series and this author.
November 28, 2025
I think this is the best book yet of the series. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
November 29, 2025
3.5 So many characters to follow
December 5, 2025
3.5 stars This is a cute cozy mystery however, the ending kind of fell short.
December 12, 2025
great story
December 14, 2025
In this murder mystery novel, a local bar owner is found dead after being tortured. Jill, the town coffee shop and bookstore owner helps her policeman husband solve the crime. Recommended.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews