Cover Image: Mother's Day Mayhem

Mother's Day Mayhem

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

So this was a short story/novella. I've read the other books in the series and I was somewhat disappointed in this. The plot felt rushed and there was very little character development with the supporting characters.

Was this review helpful?

This was a a fun quick novella. I really enjoy Lynn Cahoon's Tourist Trap Mysteries series. The main character, Jill and her boyfriend, Greg are getting more serious and Greg wants Jill to meet his mother on Mother's day. Although there's no murder in this novella, there's still a mystery surrounding Jill's employee Kyle. I really enjoyed this book and love the series!

Was this review helpful?

Another excellent edition to a wonderful series! Full of twists and turns that leaves you wanting more and enjoying each moment until the end when the killer is caught!

Was this review helpful?

I have been a fan of this mystery series from the first book! It's one of my favorite mystery series. However, this novella failed to live up to the expectations the series has built. I wasn't as gripped to this plot as I was with previous books in the series. I love the idea of these novellas, but this one wasn't as engrossing.

Was this review helpful?

"Mother's Day Mayhem" earns 4/5 Greeting Cards...Clever and Entertaining!

Mother's Day is usually met with loving anticipation, but Jill has nothing but trepidation since she's been invited to meet her boyfriend Greg's mother. But, it's Kyle, the young man who works at the antique shop, who is struggling the most with the upcoming holiday. Having lived with his grandmother since he was five-years-old and only receiving postcards from his mother saying she would return, he sadly would learn she'd really been in jail. But now, she is out of jail, and reaching out to her, they plan to meet. However, he still worries she may break her promise. Jill can't stand to see her young friend in such emotional turmoil and, with help, sets out to find out what's going on.

This novella is short and easily read in an hour or two (of course, if you don't have Mom duties) with interesting angst and dynamics between mothers and daughters and mothers and sons. It's "mayhem" not murder that is the focus, so the inquiries are less checking off suspects, validating motives, and avoiding personal peril, and more discussion, background checks, and happening upon details. The story also includes Jill and Greg's relationship and a quiet weekend away that also mixes "business" and pleasure. I enjoyed the first-person narrative sharing Jill's anxious manner to uncover the story of Kyle's mother since her mother is no longer around, but it's her worry about meeting Greg's mother with which I can identify. I remember meeting my now mother-in-law for the first time running through my head the desire to stand out, be liked, and accepted by the family.

Fans will also enjoy "one of Greg's favorite meals at Diamond Lille's." Said to "fit the bill" for those on a low carb/low sugar diet, we can enjoy Tiny's Provolone-Stuffed Meatloaf. Ok, there is ketchup and brown sugar, but I won't tell!

Was this review helpful?

This was my first book in this series, though it was book 10, a novella. Though fun, I was a bit lost, as I didn't know the characters or their relationships.

The book dealt with mysteries around the mother. Jill's boyfriend Greg wanted her to meet his mother, Kyle, one of the employees, was searching for his mother, which was main plot of the story.

This was an extremely light read with warm characters and cosy settings. This was more of a mystery rather than a whodunit, but it was charming in its own way.

Overall, a fun read, but it would have been better if I had read the entire series.

Was this review helpful?

I love Lynn Cahoon books. My only complaint about this one is that it is more of a novella and is too short for my liking! The Tourist Trap books are fun to read. The characters are engaging. You don't need to read them in order but if you do, you really see the development of the relationships between the characters. I can't wait for the next book.

Was this review helpful?

Mother's Day Mayhem is a tourist trap novella. I thought the characters were well thought out and the mystery was a true cozy and fun. I liked the book and look forward to reading more books in the series.

Was this review helpful?

Great mystery romance. Well written plot and well developed characters. I look forward to reading more books in this series. My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for my Arc. This is my unbiased review.

Was this review helpful?

I love returning to South Cove and this Novella is a perfect story that is engaging and fun to read.
I have read the entire series and highly recommend this series for all who enjoy cozy mysteries and this beloved series. In this next in series this short story does not have a murder but it does have emotion for everyone in South Cove.
Jill Gardner, proprietor of Coffee, Books & More and our intrepid protagonist is nervous to be invited to her boyfriends family Mother’s Day celebration, There are addition Mother relationship issues with Kyle who works at the local antique shop. Jill ends up investigating his Mother who has been out of his life for years and she suspects is up to no good this Mother;'s day. She finds a happy outcome for everyone and even for herself as she goes forth into the scary future Mother In Law meeting. This is a nice segway into future books in the series.

This is a fun novella that involves many of the "local" residents and friends of South Cove. Jill and friends are a great team and i look forward to the next in series. This series is a favorite of mine as the author has created such a pleasing world to read about and such outstanding characters. Thank you for the ARC which does not influence my review.

Was this review helpful?

This is the first book/novella I've read in the series but I thought it was interesting and fun. I've already added the other books to my wish list/tbr pile.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. My thoughts and opinions are my own and without bias.

Was this review helpful?

Mother’s Day Mayhem, the latest Tourist Trap novella by Lynn Cahoon, is as refreshing as a summer breeze. Also refreshing is that the mystery does not involve a murder.

Mother’s Day brings a lot of emotion to the residents of South Cove. And Jill Gardner, proprietor of Coffee, Books & More is once again at the heart of it. When her boyfriend, Greg, invites her to his family’s Mother’s Day celebration, Jill is nervous about meeting his mother for the first time, especially since her prior meeting with Greg’s brother, Jim, did not go well.

At the same time, Kyle Nabors, an employee of the local antique shop, is facing mother issues of his own. He confides that he has been in recent contact with his mother, Rebecca, despite having not seen her since he was a young child. Concerned that Kyle may get hurt and wanting to confirm that his mother’s motives are pure, Jill decides to investigate Rebecca. What ensues is a heartfelt resolution to both Kyle’s story and Jill’s impending encounter with Greg’s mother.

Once again, Lynn Cahoon has created a story that draws you into the charming world of South Cove. While this time the mystery takes a back seat to character development and burgeoning relationships, the novella just feels “right.”

Note: I received an ARC of Mother’s Day Mayhem from NetGalley and Kensington Books/Lyrical Press. The above is my honest review.

Was this review helpful?

My rating: 1 of 5 stars, I didn't like this one.

Yet another novella in the Tourist Trap series.

Truthfully, I'm over them. And considering how short this is, that it failed to hold my interest long enough to finish is really a sad thing. I did finish it, but days later and I still felt "meh" about it.

We haven't had a full length story in this series since July 2017, so I guess this is the new normal for the series. Meanwhile, the author left us with a cliff hanger in the last full length book, that still has not been addressed.

As much as I once loved this series, the novellas just aren't enough to keep me reading.

Was this review helpful?

I LOVE my trips to South Cove! I always feel like I am visiting friends and this trip was a fun one! No murder this go around but Jill is on the case of a friend's relationship with his absent but now reappeared mother. I really wasn't sure how this mystery would play out and it definitely kept me guessing. This short story does leave me with questions that were raised in this book about Jill's past, and I am hoping for the answers to those questions in the next visit to South Cove. Very enjoyable read!

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

Was this review helpful?

This is a great mini mystery by Lynn Cahoon. Jill finds out the real story about Kyles Mom with the help of Greg. A romantic weekend away and a Mothers Day meeting with Greg''s Mom.

Was this review helpful?

Mother’s Day Mayhem by Lynn Cahoon is A Tourist Trap Novella. Jill Gardner owns Coffee, Books and More in South Cove, California. She is having lunch at Diamond Lille’s with her boyfriend, Greg King when he springs the news that his mother is coming to town. Greg has planned a luncheon for Mother’s Day so Jill can meet his mother and invited her aunt, Jackie as well as her boyfriend. Since Jill’s introduction to Greg’s brother, Jim was less than stellar, Jill is justifiably nervous. Kyle Nabors who works at Antiques by Thomas comes into the shop and needs Jill’s assistance in picking out a Mother’s Day card. Kyle was raised by his grandmother since he was five years old after his mother was sent to jail. He recently reconnected with Rebecca Nabors who said she would come to visit, but she now seems to have changed her mind. Kyle decided to send her a Mother’s Day card to show he cares and leave the ball in her court. Jill is curious about Kyle’s mother and decides a scouting mission is in order. How will Mother’s Day turn out for our South Cove residents?

Mother’s Day Mayhem is a charming addition to A Tourist Trap Mystery series. If you have not read the previous books in the series, I do not suggest starting with this one (you would be out of step). I like Lynn Cahoon’s conversational writing style. It makes for an engaging and easy to read story. A Tourist Trap Mystery series has friendly, developed and relatable characters. It is sweet that the residents of South Cove consider each other family and they look out for each other (I want to move to this town) which gives Jill the perfect excuse to meddle in Kyle’s life. I look forward to visiting South Cove to what the characters are up to in each new book. Jill and Greg have been dating for a year and she has yet to meet his mother. I could feel Jill’s nerves and I knew what she was feeling plus what she was thinking (would the mother like her, what if the meeting goes bad). Kyle has been without his mother since he was a small boy. It was obvious he was worried about being rejected. There is no dead body or burglary in this book. The mystery involves Kyle’s mother, and Jill wants to make sure Kyle will not get hurt. Mother’s Day Mayhem is a short story that progresses at a steady pace. There is humor in the story from Greg’s case of the missing gnomes. Jill’s theories had me giggling. There is a recipe for Tiny’s provolone stuffed meatloaf at the end of the book. Mother’s Day Mayhem is an emotional story that will touch your heart.

Was this review helpful?

I will admit that the only other book I have read in the Tourist Trap Mysteries series is Santa puppy. But I read them back to back, so it's natural to compare them and I found this one lacking something. It didn't click for me as the other novel did which is sad. I have to admit that I was bugged by how unstable for the lack of better word most of the relationships we saw in the book were. Isn't book 10.5 a little late for Jill to meet her boyfriend's mother? And I feel like we got teased about another couple too. I prefer stability and in this book, I didn't get that feeling. The mystery ended on a bittersweet note for me and I think that's the reason why I ended up giving 3 stars to the book.

Was this review helpful?

Lynn Cahoon's Tourist Trap Mysteries are so heartwarming. I love that coffee & bookstore owner Jill rearranges her life around her reading and around inspiring others in reading. I admire how the small community unites as a family, protective of each other. In MOTHER'S DAY MAYHEM, Jill tries to help her friend Kyle, inexplicably abandoned by his mother as a child, while anxious herself over meeting boyfriend Greg's mother. A quick and endearing read leaves new readers and Ms. Cahoon's loyal fans with happy hearts.

Was this review helpful?

I love the Tourist Trap mystery novels, but this novella was just a bit too short for me. Jill helps a young man to resolve his feelings toward his missing mother, and she also encounters some angst as she prepares to meet her boyfriend Greg's mother for the first time. I'd suggest that someone interested in this mystery series read it in order and not read this novella first. The prior books will help to add perspective to this short story!

Was this review helpful?

Princess Fuzzypants here: Normally I truly enjoy this series be it the full length or novellas such as this one. I like how the characters seem to grow with each passing story but it felt a bit like eating cotton candy- sweet but unfulfilling. Kyle, Josh’s assistant confides in Jill that he has been searching for his mother but now he found her, she wants nothing to do with him. He asks her to keep it a secret but she not only tells two people, she gets involved in tracking the woman down and confronting her.
In the background of the story is a Mother’s Day lunch where she is going to meet Greg’s mother for the first time. Both Kyle’s story and the luncheon work out in a satisfying manner but it left me feeling this one was filler for the rest.
I am going to give it four purrs and one paw up= not bad but not up to the standard I have come to expect.

Was this review helpful?