Without a doubt, my choice will be mystery. I can't handle horror (gore or psychological) because I enjoying sleeping and like to do it often. Usually when asked which squares to omit for my bingo card, all my choices are horror. With that being said, there are particular reasons for each of the subgenres of mystery, and those reasons can be contradictory.

Literary mystery - read solely for the puzzle. Most literary characters are either dull or alpha-holes. And since they are usually stand alones, I don't have to be around the characters in subsequent books. Lowest spot on my subgenre preferences, only one I would recommend - In Her Bones by Kate Moretti.

Police procedurals - although I have shared ups and downs with the quality of each book in recent years, my favorite series is still In Death by JD Robb because I get both a great puzzle and characters I can return to again and again (after all, there are 49 books in the series, not counting the novellas). I have been meaning to try more, but the ones at the library are usually male asshole as the main character variety.

Cozy - this subgenre is my jam. Tourist Trap Mysteries by Lynn Cahoon, the first few Liz Talbot books by Susan Boyer, the PJ Sugar trilogy by Susan May Warren, the Debutante Mysteries by Susan McBride, Magical Cats by Sofie Kelly, and the High Heels series by Gemma Halliday are my favorites. Fast reads and a bit more adventurous, so not as interested in the puzzle as I am in the characters and their hijinks and the world building. A big part that plays into my wanting to read cozy mysteries is that I can get my contemporary romance fix as well, since most contemporary romance genre books leave me cold. Plus no gore even though there is usually dead body somewhere (other crimes are hard to come by). I do admit some books go into the too silly for suspension of disbelief territory.

Historical - this subgenre is my newest path through mystery. I like these books because I (usually) get a strong female character plus rich historical details in addition to the mystery. Not as silly as cozies, not as serious as literary. A nice even balance between characters, world building, and puzzle solving. Again dead bodies everywhere yet no gore. So far I am enjoying the Mirabelle Bevan series (although they are hella expensive, so I have only read the first two) and the Maggie Hope series.

Romantic suspense - this used to be a big subgenre for me, but I feel the quality of the work in general has gone down a lot (too much sex, too little puzzle). I can't really suspend my disbelief of the MCs deciding that when the bad guys are chasing them right now would be a good time for sex. Geez, can't the MCs wait until the police come and arrest bad guys and take your statements, then have sex? Now I just read the yearly romantic suspense from Nora Roberts and call it good. 

Classical mystery/horror - only read during Halloween bingo.

In the gentle coastal town of South Cove, California, all Jill Gardner wants is to keep her store--Coffee, Books, and More--open and running. So why is she caught up in the business of murder?

When Jill's elderly friend, Miss Emily, calls in a fit of pique, she already knows the city council is trying to force Emily to sell her dilapidated old house. But Emily's gumption goes for naught when she dies unexpectedly and leaves the house to Jill--along with all of her problems. . .and her enemies. Convinced her friend was murdered, Jill is finding the list of suspects longer than the list of repairs needed on the house. But Jill is determined to uncover the culprit--especially if it gets her closer to South Cove's finest, Detective Greg King. Problem is, the killer knows she's on the case--and is determined to close the book on Jill permanently. . .

My Review:

The summer months of 2014 have been filled with cozy mysteries. I did like the story settings and the characters, so I will be coming back for more later. Also, this might seem biased, but I love that the series takes place in one of the many small seaside towns along the California Coast - so much to do and see and still have that small town feel.

It was an easy and quick read, yet the reveal of the killer's identity surprised me. I did not need so many paragraphs about home renovations; I am hoping that by book 2 the house is completely made over and Jill is settled in. Jill is a smart character and a pretty good sleuth, but she was dumb as a brick over Greg's martial status (hello, look at this finger - is there a ring or tan lines that look like a ring? No? Then He. Isn't. Married. Go. Kiss. Him. Already.). For me, the relationship between Jill and Greg was more friendly flirting than red hot romance.

This is pure relaxing escapism. All the elements are here for a fun read.  

Jill has moved from the high pressure life of an attorney in the big city to the slower paced life of a bookstore owner in a small touristy town.  Miss Emily, one of the local senior citizens, was the main reason for the move as she had welcomed and befriended Jill when she was vacationing in South Cove.  Therefore, when Jill finds Miss Emily dead on the floor of her own kitchen, Jill is not going to let someone get away with murder.

The plot covers disinherited relatives, art theft, unscrupulous developers, unknown paternity and, of course, an amazingly handsome detective.  It's fun, it's cozy and it's easy to read and I enjoyed it.

There were two issues that left me scratching my head a little.  Jill has reason to believe that the detective, who is obviously interested in her, is married.  So why doesn't she ask him?  The underlying "is he or isn't he" should have been resolved early with a simple question, "So, are you married?"  People ask it to other people all the time. I wish she would have asked it sooner.

The other issue was the contractors she dealt with to fix up Miss Emily's house.  She called, they came out immediately and started working.  I've never dealt with a contractor of any kind that came the first time you called him, especially the very day you called him, and then started right to work.  Dealing with contractors is one of the most frustrating things you can do so it was unbelievable to me that they worked for Jill the way they did.  

Are those two issues nitpicky?  Maybe.  They did pull me out of the story just a bit so I mention them.  Those aside, the book is fun, I enjoyed it and I'll be waiting for Mission to Murder, the follow-up that comes out later this year

I received this book through Netgalley and I appreciated the opportunity to read and review it.

Jill Gardner has left behind the fast paced life as a lawyer and a marriage gone south to settle South Cove, California and open a book store Coffee, Books, and More. Things maybe slow at the shop but they are peaceful until, a sudden call from her dear friend, Miss Emily, things quickly go downhill. Miss Emily is receiving threats to kick her out of her home, Jill thinking to find out more about this and check on her friend find herself in devastated when she finds her friend dead. Dealing with the lost Jill has much more on her shoulders when Miss. Emily has named her, her heir, inheriting everything along with alot of trouble. Because Jill starts receiving her own threats along with pressure from the city and an outside builder wanting the house and the confirmation that Miss.Emily was killed. Now it's a race to find the killer before Jill is next on the list.

I was quickly wrapped up in the story from page one. A owner of a bookstore, come on what's not to love? The overall trouble I had with the book was the MC Jill. She had ALOT to deal with and as a human being who has lost a dear friend it's portrayed very natural. The trouble was at times Jill showed no backbone toward certain characters when in others she would stand her ground. I wanted her to speak up and really show some gumption. I also think that was the beauty of it all was Jill was a complete human in her actions and thoughts and knew when to push and back off.
Along the ride Jill has some backup in her friend Amy and Detective Greg King aka the love interest to help her as she starts to gather clues.
The mystery was very well paced with Jill digging into Emily's past with alot of surprises on the path with the killer being somewhat of a surprise in itself- only goes to show one don't judge a book by it's cover.

A great start to a series. I'm truly looking forward to the next book in this series!

ARC courtesy of NetGalley

By Lynn Cahoon

ISBN-13: 9781601832382

Publisher: Kensington Publishing Corporation

Publication date: 4/17/2014

Series:A Tourist Trap Mystery , #1

Format: eBook

My Rating:  4 Stars

A wonderful book and series to curl up with on a rainy afternoon. A light and entertaining read--Think small business, quaint town, shops, espresso, bookstore, cafe, coffee, galleries, inns, and a good cozy mystery which “Guidebook to Murder” offered -full of loveable (and not so likeable) characters and friends in this small South Cove, CA tourist town.

Jill, a former lawyer has inherited Miss Emily’s house (she befriended her years ago), and of course the city wants to tear down the house for a new condo real estate development. With other things in mind and begins her fight with small town politics, and meets many obstacles, and of course Emily’s family, the mayor, real estate developers, attorneys, threats, and now faced with the circumstances which surround Miss Emily’s death and secrets, and then then her best friend goes missing. 

As the mystery unfolds (who did it), many possible suspects and secrets to keep you turning the pages. My only input would be more background of Miss Emily and her past, as I agree with some of the other reviewers. 

Loved the main character, Jill at times, however other times not, as she was back and forth as a door mat. She owns the quaint Coffee, Books and More, along the coastal Pacific, after having moved from a larger city after her divorce, interacting with many tourists while they are in the area – life is good until she inherits the home of her old friend and Detective Greg (possible love affair)?, gets involved – mystery begins . . .

If you like cozy books, bookstores, small towns, and a light mystery, this book is for you; however, if you are a serious thriller mystery lover, it might not be your cup of tea. The front cover was a nice draw and appealing if you are a book lover. My first book by this author--definitely look forward to reading the next book , “Mission to Murder” #2 in series “A Tourist Trap Mystery.” (sneak preview at the end – with mentions of Aunt Jackie, Sadie, Greg, possibly a mystery writer, fortune teller, a B&B –something to look forward to-coming summer 2014). 

A special thank you to Kensington Books and NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an unbiased and honest review.