A Very Mummy Holiday

A Tourist Trap Mystery #7.5

by Lynn Cahoon, Susan Boyce (Narrator)

Jill Gardner has left her book-and-coffee shop behind to spend Thanksgiving week in coastal Oregon with her cop boyfriend, her golden retriever Emma, and a crowd of friends and family. But before the feast can start, foul play interrupts their vacation . . . The rented house was supposed to be a relaxing getaway. But Jill and her companions feel a sense of danger instead. First, they learn that their hosts' son had a fiancee, but her disappearance remains unexplained-and then they meet some menacing members of a local trail-riding club. When one of Jill and Greg's friends finds human remains amid the dunes-with a diamond ring around one mummified finger-things start heating up fast, and they'll be thankful just to survive through the long weekend . . .

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Cozy, Novella, Audiobook, Holiday

Audio CD

First published October 29, 2019

About the author

NYT 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

Reviews

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oops! I accidentally jumped one book ahead and read the next in-between novella in the Tourist Trap Mysteries written by Lynn Cahoon. I was supposed to read book 9 first... oh well, I hope I didn't spoil anything. LOL In this installment, Jill and Greg go on a trip with their new couples friend, and they all find a dead body while dune-riding. They think it's the missing fiancée of the hotel owners' son, who has been grieving his long-lost love for a year. The body was mummified, and the ring on its finger is a match. But is it her? Cahoon adeptly takes us thru the process to find out what the small town has been hiding, and it comes together quite nicely.

[JoAn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Very Mummy Holiday by Lynn Cahoon is another novella set in the world of the Tourist Trap series. Being a novella it's a short afternoon read but one that kept me turning the pages.

Jill and Greg are on a mini-vacation with friends in a cabin on the coast of Oregon. Unfortunately, they find a mummified body in the sand dunes as they are riding one morning. Greg actually encourages Jill to do some online snooping in this one and I enjoyed seeing them work together for a change. The plot is fast paced with some scary local suspects that kept me engaged until the end.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book from Lyrical Underground via NetGalley. All of the above opinions are my own.

[Peggy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy the short novellas in the Tourist Trap Mystery series. They give the reader a satisfying visit with Jill, Greg and the rest of the characters usually for a specific time or holiday period. This one was a fast-paced read that kept me engaged for the entire story. The characters are well developed and feel familiar like old friends. While the identity of the murder was not a complete surprise, the author did a good job of trying to give the reader enough suspects so she could throw suspicion on two other characters.

I am looking forward to a full-length Tourist Trap Mystery soon, but these novellas do a good job of keeping me satisfied until then.

I voluntarily read a digital ARC provided to me by the publisher through Netgalley.

[Betty · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is Thanksgiving week and Jill Gardiner and Greg are spending the week of Thanksgiving riding the sand dunes located off the Oregon Oregon. Emily, Jill German shepard is with them. Riding the dunes there is a minor accident and the sand buggy dislodged a body. The body is a girl who missing for a number of years, their landlord's son, betrothed. The police immediately target the fiance as the killer. Jill and Greg set out clear the son and to catch the real killer. Will plans for a Thanksgiving dinner with all their friends go astray? I highly recommend this novella and the series.
Recipe is included.

Disclosure: Thanks to Kensington Books for a copy through NetGalley. The opinions expressed are my own

[Kirsti · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to read this book.

This was a fun, quick cozy mystery. Although it was only short, it has all the usual elements you've come to expect from a cozy, without the rehasing of events and conversations to solve the crime. I liked all the characters and I thought the mystery was good, if not a little obvious for the reader to solve. I've only read one of the early books in this series, but it was no problem falling back in step wiith the characters.

If you're in the mood for a short crime story, then this will be right up your alley. Four stars.

[Gloria · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is the week of Thanksgiving and Jill and Greg are vacationing with friends, Kathi and Blake, on the coast of Oregon. Jill owns a fun shop, Coffee, Books, and More, in South Cove, California while Kathi owns a tea shop across the street and Greg is the Chief of Police. Blake is in a band and is on break. The rental cabin where they are staying is in an area where they are able to go on trails with recreational vehicles and on sand dunes and enjoy lots of wildlife and scenery. It should be fun and is until they discover a body in the dunes-a young woman who went missing right before her wedding to a local guy, Caleb, whose parents own the rental cabin. Caleb is suspected by the locals to have killed her but Jill and Greg don't think that he did it. They are pulled into helping local law enforcement find the real killer, just in time for turkey day when they are joined by Jill's Aunt Jackie, her boyfriend, Harrold, friends, Amy and Justin. This a fun addition to the series with a change of scenery from South Cove but with some of the great regular characters and a mystery to solve.
I received a complimentary ARC from Lyrical Underground and Kensington Books through NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine only.

[Jerri Cachero · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Thanksgiving on the Oregon coast turns from holiday fun to investigating an old murder case for Jill and her friends. When a group from South Cove gathers at an isolated beach rental cabin, - murder is sure to follow! The book was fast-paced and while I had two suspects in mind, I was never quite sure "whodunit" until the very end!

The Tourist Trap mysteries are one of my favorite series. I admire Jill and her determination to have her coffeeshop/bookstore be a success, her loyalty to her friends and community and her natural curiosity and sleuthing abilities. A Very Mummy Holiday, though a short book, has all the qualities of a longer book in the series. The relationship between Jill and Greg is the perfect balance of mystery and romance and of course, there's the lovely Emma - Jill's wonderful Lab!

A cozy read you'll love!

I received an ARC from NetGalley for a fair and honest review of this book.

[Karen Stallman · Rating 4 out of 5]

“A Very Mummy Holiday” is the 9.5 book ”A Tourist Trap Mystery” series by Lynn Cahoon is a quick and enjoyable read. I love this series and was super happy to get an Advanced Readers Copy.

Protagonist Jill, her dog Emma, and Greg along with a couple friends decide to rent a cabin in an Oregon beach town for their Thanksgiving holiday. While in town, one of the group discovers a skeleton buried in the sand dune.

I was pulled in from the very beginning and didn’t stop till the end. The mystery was well plotted and moved along at an even pace. There are only a few suspects for the murder and almost from the beginning you realize the person who people suspect of the murder is not the right person. Jill’s empathy shows throughout the story and you can’t help empathizing with Caleb and his situation too.

I highly recommend this novella to all my cozy friends.

I requested and received an Advanced Readers Copy from Lyrical Underground and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Mary Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Very Mummy Holiday
Tourist Trap Mystery, Book #11
Lynn Cahoon
5 Stars

Synopsis:

Jill Gardner has left her book-and-coffee shop behind to spend Thanksgiving week in coastal Oregon with her cop boyfriend, her golden retriever Emma, and a crowd of friends and family. But before the feast can start, foul play interrupts their vacation . . .

The rented house was supposed to be a relaxing getaway. But Jill and her companions feel a sense of danger instead. First, they learn that their hosts’ son had a fiancée, but her disappearance remains unexplained—and then they meet some menacing members of a local trail-riding club. When one of Jill and Greg’s friends finds human remains amid the dunes—with a diamond ring around one mummified finger—things start heating up fast, and they’ll be thankful just to survive through the long weekend . . .

Praise for The Tourist Trap Mysteries

“Murder, dirty politics, pirate lore, and a hot police detective: Guidebook to Murder has it all! A cozy lover’s dream come true.”
—Susan McBride, author of The Debutante Dropout Mysteries

“Lynn Cahoon has created an absorbing, good fun mystery in Mission to Murder.” (Amazon)

Review:

The characters are well rounded and well developed. Jill has some great friends and I enjoy getting to spend time with them, especially at Thanksgiving. Unfortunately, murder seems to follow Jill and she cannot get a break from it, even during her holiday week.

The writing style flows smoothly and this novella is a quick easy read. The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and the descriptions pulled me in from the very beginning. The mystery was well plotted and moved along at an even pace.

I would recommend this novella (and series) to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. You cannot go wrong reading this authors books.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, Kensington Books, and NetGalley, which I greatly appreciate.

[John Ready Reader One · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this one as part of the House Cup and I really dug this story. It jumps into the middle of a series but I didn't feel lost in a strange world like what happens with doing this for some fantasy series. A straight forward offduty detective-style story where the group is helping to solve a 1-year-old murder/ missing persons case. It was good enough for me to look into checking out the full series.

[Jennifer Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

VERY quick read. I didn't realize I had missed this book but I got the latest in the series and decided to go back and check. Jill and Greg go on a little vacation in this one and almost immediately find a dead body. They help solve the case and all is good again! Onto the next story!

[Yvonne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jill Gardner and her fiancee decide to go away for Thanksgiving with another couple. They are looking forward to a lovely holiday celebration, but things do not go as planned. Their friends stumble upon a diamond ring which happens to be on human remains.

They had no idea they were getting themselves involved in a murder case. Although it’s a cold case, danger is currently in the air and Jill and her cop fiancee are on the investigation. They are determined to find out what happened all those years ago.

This is one of my favorite cozy mystery series and I always enjoy these short novellas between the longer length books. The novella features my favorite three characters - Jill, her doggy Emma and her fiancee, Greg.

You really don’t need to read the rest of the series but I think it always helps to get to know the characters better. It’s not a continuing mystery and it’s solved in this short story. No cliff hangers :)

It’s fast-paced and can be read in just a couple of hours. I’m looking forward to the next book in this series.

[Micky Cox · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great plot involving Jill and Greg as they head off on a Thanksgiving vacation with some friends, but what starts out as a fun and relaxing trip turns sinister when one of the friends discovers a mummified hand with a big diamond engagement ring on it. To make matters worse a local group of guys starts making things uncomfortable for the vacationing group. This series has excellent characters with engaging personalities that draw you in and keep you wanting more time with them. Add that to great plotting and you have a wonderfully entertaining read that will keep you turning pages furiously as you can't wait to see what happens next. If you haven't read the entire series, you absolutely should. I can't wait for the next full length story in this series to come out as the novellas have been fun to read, but I am ready to be able to spend more time with these characters!

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Very Mummy Holiday by Lynn Cahoon is a Tourist Trap novella. I thought based on the title that this was a Halloween story, but it isn't. Jill and Greg are on a mini-vacation with friends during Thanksgiving week, when they happen to find a mummified body in the sand dunes, thanks to Jill's dog. Greg, who usually tries to get Jill to stay away from his investigations, actually encourages her to do some investigating or snooping online. It was great to see them working together instead of her having to sneak around. This was a good, well-developed story for a novella. There were a few suspects and even a rather dangerous and twisty ending. I was happy to see how this one turned out. It was a nicely paced story that I enjoyed as an afternoon read.

[Jeanie Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Very Mummy Holiday is an absolute delight! Spending time with Jill and Greg is always great! I especially love seeing working together and spending casual couple time. The murder was sad but the effect they had on the investigation provide an even greater feel-good moment than usual.

[Hilary (A Wytch's Book Review) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like the Tourist Trap novellas as they fill in some back stories, or just add something to the full stories, and this one does a bit of both.

Jill and Greg along with the tea shop owner Kathi and her boyfriend Blake have arrived at a rental cabin for the Thanksgiving weekend (a long weekend in their cases - the rest of the party will be arriving on the morning of Thanksgiving and staying over before they all head out), they meet up with a group they would like to avoid, especially as one of the group seems fixated on Kathi. The next day when they go dune buggying Blake and Kathi's buggy takes a tumble ... that would be bad enough but Kathi comes face to hand with a mummified in sand corpse!

Now much as Greg would like to leave this to the local law enforcement he has the feeling they have fixated on one person and haven't considered anything or anyone else ... as much as Greg hates it he needs Jill's help, especially when they discover another girl had disappeared in the area and it looks as though Kathi could be next!

[Toni · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars

This is a novella in the Tourist Trap mystery series by Lynn Cahoon. She numbers her books in order no matter if it is novella or novel. This is book ten in the series.

I was really hoping this was going to be a full novel. No such luck. I am not certain when the next full length story will surface. I am still waiting patiently. Thank goodness for these novellas! They make the wait not so trying.

This book features Jill Gardner and her cop boyfriend, Greg along with some newer characters from the previous few books. They are not ones you may easily remember so maybe go back and check out the last few books to brush up on the backstory if you need to. They are on vacation with this couple. Jill is trying to make friends but would rather stay in her hidey-hole and read. Greg forces her to get out and socialize. During one of their outings, they stumble across a dead body in the sand after a rather nasty storm had shifted the ground revealing the body of a woman.

I wish this book had been a bit longer. I really felt like this needed a bit more development. I was just starting to get into the story and then it was over. I never really had a handle on who some of the main characters were from the area where they were vacationing. Sometimes I really need that backstory in my mind to understand all the motivations and who might have wanted the person dead.

This is still one of my favorite cozy mystery series! I will always pick up a new title no matter if it is novella or novel. I just can’t get enough! I hope Jill is back in her normal setting at Coffee, Books and More in the next installment. I am missing my South Cove regulars!

I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.

[Mayda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This short novella is a quick read, but still manages to contain all the ingredients for a satisfying mystery. Jill and her companions are on a week-long vacation, but a woman’s disappearance several months earlier casts a shadow on the foursome’s getaway. Their hosts explains that the disappearance of their son’s fiancée has left him despondent. When the group discovers a mummified body buried in the sand, the son becomes the number one suspect in her murder. Jill begins her own sleuthing to save the son, with Greg’s blessing and his help. It’s an intriguing and fast-paced mystery with all the essentials but no fillers, great for an afternoon’s entertainment.

[Helen Drake · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a well written novella, conveying a murder mystery in compact form. I enjoyed the story and the characters.

I listened to the audiobook and liked the narration.

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Very Mummy Holiday earns 5/5 Delightful Dunes...Engaging & Entertaining!

Top Marks! It’s Thanksgiving in another clever holiday novella from Lynn Cahoon’s Tourist Trap easily enjoyed in an afternoon; great excuse to forgo kitchen duty. The mystery is quite engaging with a cold case invading the holiday festivities. Jill and her boyfriend Detective Greg King are spending the holidays up north in Oregon ready to spend a delightful time enjoying food, family, and friends. The rental property is picturesque and near the beach it is perfect for hiking, water play, and dune sports. The owners of the property live nearby along with their son, who in their words, “...can be a little moody.” Odd description for one grieving over a missing fiancée, but his very scruffy appearance adds some scary truth. Unfortunately, their holiday celebration turns murderous. While Jill and Greg are enjoying riding on the dunes, their friends take a terrible tumble, and one uncovers a beautiful solitaire diamond ring hidden in the sand. However, it’s what’s attached to the ring that has them scrambling to dial 9-1-1. Mummified remains turn a disappearance into murder. The victim is one cozy fans will immediately suspect, and the original ideas by the cops need reviewing now that the identify of the mummified body is corroborated, but there’s enough suspicion to go around. All very clever, but one of the “whys” seems unclear. The first-person narrative is fueled by Jill’s inner thoughts and humor along with a collaborative relationship with Greg that is protective and respectful of each other’s detective skill. There’s a Golden Retriever for “fur friend” lovers, realistic friend and family interactions, and...a recipe! Yes, ending this delightful tale is an easy-to-follow recipe for Pumpkin Marble Cheesecake as the perfect end to anyone’s Thanksgiving festivities.

Disclosure: I received an ARC from NetGalley. My review is voluntary with honest insights and comments.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Very Mummy Holiday was the perfect Thanksgiving read featuring a holiday getaway that definitely didn't go as planned. Jill and her friends were looking forward to a holiday weekend away when they end up finding the mummified remains of a missing woman. When the group's host for the weekend find their son the number one suspect, Jill and her friends decide to try and prove his innocence.

Cahoon does a great job as usual creating such an entertaining read with such a short length. I really enjoyed seeing Kathi and Blake joining Jill and Greg for a change because it provided a different kind of dynamic to the story. Although I still did love the appearance of favorite secondary characters as well. The book's mystery is well done and definitely captures the reader's interest from the beginning and never lets go. A Very Mummy Holiday was a perfect holiday read that I would most definitely recommend. I look forward to reading Jill's next adventure.

Received a copy of A Very Mummy Holiday through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

[Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jill, Greg, Kathi, and Blake head to Oregan for Thanksgiving week to get away from it all.

While out riding, Kathi finds an engagement ring in a sand dune. The only problem is it's still attached to a hand.

When a local gang member starts showing Kathi a little too much attention, things start getting a little uncomfortable for the foursome, and they start taking measures to make sure everyone stays safe as there was a murder a few years previously. And Kathi has an eerie resemblance to her.

This was a fun short story, with engaging characters, and a well thought out plot. It is the 11th book in the series and is a stand-alone story. I have not read any of the previous stories in this series and did not feel I missed anything at all.

I would like to thank the author, Lynn Cahoon, the publishers, and NetGalley for the opportunity of reading this advanced copy.

[The Cozy Review · Rating 4 out of 5]

Series; A Tourist Trap Mystery – Book 9.5
Author: Lynn Cahoon
Genre: Cozy Mystery/Holiday/Short Story
Publisher: Kensington
Page Count - 81

A quick holiday cozy short for readers this October from Kensington Books comes Lynn Cahoon’s “A Very Mummy Holiday”

This book is an exciting, entertaining holiday cozy. It’s not quite the relaxing holiday that Jill and friends were expecting nor is it the type most would want. No matter how they spin it, someone committed murder and Jill feels like she has to help find out who the murderer is and expose them before the wrong person ends up behind bars.

There are only a few suspects and it becomes apparent almost from the start that the person who most people accused of murder is not the correct suspect. Readers can’t help themselves from feeling empathy for Caleb, the main suspect, and his parents. Although this is a holiday cozy and a novella, it has everything needed to keep readers engaged and turning the page.

I am happy to recommend this holiday cozy A Very Mummy Holiday and the entire Tourist Trap Mystery series to readers.

[Cozybooklady · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fast paced novella by Lynn Cahoon.
Jill and Greg, along with other friends, rent a cabin for the Thanksgiving holiday.
Riding dune buggies and sitting my the bonfire is what they have planned, but unfortunately, it doesn't play out accordingly.
When an unsolved murder interrupts their vacation, there is no way Jill can resist using her investigative skills to find the truth.
I enjoy these fast paced stories that the author puts out in between full length books. They keep the characters fresh in my mind and it's nice to get a little treat in between.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for approving me to read book.

[Melmo2610 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not my favorite story about Jill and the gang but still an enjoyable visit with them. I liked that it's Thanksgiving in this story, that was a fun holiday to celebrate with the crew. The mystery was good and definitely one that intrigued me. There were a few suspects to chose from and I went back and forth a bit during the story. Can't wait for my next adventure with the South Cove gang.

I received this book from NetGalley and was not required to post a positive review. All thoughts are my own.

[Emmalynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick novella. So here’s the thing, don’t move to the town where Jill lives and don’t go on vacation anywhere Jill and Co. are or you’re more apt to be a victim or lose your mind and murder someone 🙄😂😂😂. This time, it’s thanksgiving, they’re off to the dunes and of course they discover the mummified body of the owner of the resort’s missing daughter in law to be. Between another gang to contend with, a crazed killer and a town hiding secrets, the gang races to investigate and find the killer before one of their own is the next victim.

[T K Nelson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story is supposed to occur during the Thanksgiving season but it may as well be Arbor Day.

Jill and Greg drive to southern Oregon a few days before the holiday. They are joining Kathi (the heretofore glossed over owner of Tea Hee tea shop) and her boyfriend Blake to enjoy riding dune buggies. It’s mentioned that Aunt Jackie & Harrold and Amy & Justin will be joining them for the actual holiday but the story occurs in the days preceding. I’m at a loss as to why the characters of Kathi and Blake were used. Jill is forcing herself to befriend the girly-girl ex-Texan beauty queen. It makes for several awkward, cringe-worthy instances that added little if anything to the story.

Greg, as always, is the level headed cop. Jill, as usual, has questions. Because apparently no one in Reedsport has thought to take advantage of Google during the 11 months since the incident, Jill uses the internet to find a connection to narrow down the possible killer.

Rating a novella is difficult. There’s obviously not as much opportunity for the author to build suspense or depth. Introducing new characters is also a gamble. Being another in the string of Holiday themed novellas, I found it an enjoyable and welcome read. That said, it could have been much better.

[Amy Ingalls · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was okay for a novella. I haven't read any of the other Tourist Trap Mysteries, so I didn't feel especially connected to the characters, but it was a quick, easy read.

I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this novella. Jill, Greg and friends are on a holiday when they find a body. This uncovers an unsolved mystery that they want to find the answers. I love these characters and I loved the setting. The mystery was good and moved along. I will continue on with this series.

[Sassy Mystic Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable cozy mystery, I recommend.