I went in blind with this book. I knew the author wrote cozy mysteries which meant small town, warm characters with some mean ones, descriptions of food/recipe, a murder, some suspects, a busybody, the main character and her team to investigate that murder.

My first book by Lynn Cahoon though 5th in the series, was easy to understand. The backstory was given in a loving way which made me feel a part of Cat Latimer's life. Cat, an author herself, ran a writer's retreat once a month, opening her home to a group of writers. This book dealt more with small town relationships and the writers who had come, than the investigation. The day to day happenings of the 7 days retreat were told in detail which can be a good thing for regular cozy readers.

But I wanted more of investigation, something which caused the plot to shine more. Almost everywhere Cat went, everyone warned her about dangers of investigation, at one point, I wanted to sit up and say - she is an adult, let her make her own decisions. Ah well... She did solve the murder purely by chance.

Overall, a good read which follows the formula of cozy mystery and ends with a recipe about scones...

Sconed to Death is the fifth book in Lynn Cahoon’s Cat Latimer Mystery series. It’s is a well-written story with well-developed characters that moves along at a steady pace. The characters are relatable, and there are enough twists, turns, and suspects to hold the reader’s attention. Ms. Cahoon’s writing style flows smoothly at a steady pace, and she provides good background information on the affable characters. This is a clean, easy read that can be read as a standalone.

Cat Latimer is an author and the owner Warm Springs Writers’ Resort in the small college town of Aspen Hills, Colorado. Shauna Mary Clodagh, Cat’s best friend, a talented cook, and the retreat's manager, is writing a cookbook. Cat’s boyfriend, Seth Howard, is her handyman and helps transport guests. Cat’s uncle, Pete Edmond, has been the local police chief for twenty years and is in a long distance relationship with one of the retreats previous guests, Shirley Mann, a retired detective who lives in Alaska. Both Cat and Shauna live on the third floor of the large Victorian house, and Seth stays there when they are hosting a writers’ retreat. The current retreat attendees are a group of four cozy mystery authors who are members of a critique group from Chicago, plus Molly Cannon, a Covington College student who earned the right to attend the retreat. Shauna is providing a cooking demonstration/class for the attendees. Dee Dee Meyer, the owner of the Happy Cupcake, a local bakery, storms into their home and accuses Shauna of stealing her recipes. The next day, Nate Hearst, the local health inspector, shows up for a surprise inspection based on a complaint the health department received concerning the unhealthy condition of their kitchen. When a body is discovered in Dee Dee’s bakery, Uncle Pete has to talk to Cat in his official capacity because she’d recently been to the bakery to see if she could to make peace with Dee Dee and ask her to back off on the complaints. The body is identified as Greyson Finn, a famous Denver restaurant owner and chef, who was planning to open a restaurant in Aspen Hills. Even though the case has him completely stymied, Uncle Pete wants Cat to focus on her retreat and guests and to stay out of the murder investigation, but it isn’t in her nature to ignore a mystery, causing everyone to worry about her safety. While looking into things, Cat discovers a connection between an old friend and the victim which places her among the suspects, and Cat tries to clear her name.

I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it.

This is my first Cat Latimer Mystery and it won't be my last. I plan to read the first book in the series next because I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. Sconed to Death was a refreshing change of pace, a pure mystery with quirky characters and plot twists and turns. The bit of romance between the main character and her boyfriend Seth warms the story without bogging it down with awkwardly inserted encounters. As a mid-series fan, I had no problems appreciating the established relationships and becoming immersed in the atmosphere of Aspen Hills, Colorado. This book is appropriate for young mystery lovers and the young at heart, perfect for a family book club!

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

While I did like the settings and the idea behind this themed mystery, I felt like the biggest let down was the characters and the way they interacted with one another. Everything felt very cardboard to me, like I didn't believe in what was being said. Characters that had only just met wer giving each other life advice not long after, and yet no one felt very distinct from each other. No one character stood out.

It probably didn't help that the murder victim wasn't introduced until after his death; at least give us some interaction to make us feel something as to why Cat was investigating. A former friendship with one of the potential suspects just didn't hold weight this time around.

I'd like to see more from this series, because it does have potential it just didn't reach it this time. Three stars.

Sconed to Death by Lynn Cahoon is a great addition to Ms. Cahoon's Cat Latimer series. I sat down one afternoon and was riveted from the first page till I reached the end.

Ms. Cahoon writes a plot that quickly moves the reader through each twist and turn as Cat attempts to run her latest writers' retreat and stay out of her uncle's current murder investigation. The group at this retreat is cozy mystery writers and you could tell from their camaraderie that they are all friends as well as critique partners. Cat, Shauna, Seth and Uncle Pete are well developed now and I feel like I'm visiting old friends when I open a new Cat Latimer book. I definitely recommend this book to any readers who enjoy a cozy mystery.

A new book in the Cat Latimer Writer's Retreat mystery series. This time, a group of cozy mystery authors arrive at the B&B, amidst conflicts between chef Shauna and the owner of a local bakery. One of the authors is dealing with a possessive boyfriend. And, a murder occurs. Cat can't resist helping her uncle, the police chief, try to solve the mystery.
This is an easy to read cozy mystery, and I enjoyed the characters in this book. It moves at a good pace, although it's pretty easy to figure out the killer. I am not as fond of this series as with the Jill Gardner (coffee/bookshop) series, though. The latter seems to have more substance to the plots and more interesting continuing characters.

Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Lynn Cahoon has brought to life another wonderful Cat Latimer story. A wonderful chance to visit with Cat, Seth, Shauna and Uncle Pete in Aspen Hills, Colorado. It was once again time for a Warm Springs Writers' Retreat session and what would that be without a murder? Once again Cat has promised her Uncle Pete that she will not be investigating but when has that ever held Cat back.

The writers in this session are fun and bring a lot to the story. An important light is shined on Bren, a character who is in an emotionally abusive relationship and how everyone rallies around her to get her in a good place once again.

The identity of the murderer is a surprise reveal but had everyone trusted Cat's gut perhaps Uncle Pete could have solved this one sooner.

A wonderful cozy mystery that is a fun read, like a visit with old friends that you want to catch up with. 2020 is way too far away for our next visit with Cat Latimer and her Writers' Retreat!!!

Cat Latimer is back for more adventures! A celebrity chef is murdered and Cat can’t resist investigating. With a wonderful cast of characters, I enjoyed following along and attempting to solve the crime. Many thanks to Kensington Books and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

A Cat Latimer Mystery #5

This week Cat is hosting my favorite kind of writers. Cozy Mystery! And one of them is a mystery already. While Cat and Shauna get everything ready for the week they are interrupted by a visit from the Health Inspector. A reluctant Inspector, but a disturbance they didn't need. The ladies know that any anonymous complaints toward Shauna's kitchen can only come from one source.

Dee Dee, owner of the local bakery is sure Shauna is stealing her recipes for a cookbook and is looking for any reason to shut her down. While Cat tries to reassure her no one is stealing anything, Dee Dee may soon find herself out of a job and having to answer for a lot, specifically a dead Denver chef in her bakery.

I've read all of this series and the characters have evolved into a family that I love to check in on often. And if you are a fan also, Dante' shows up in this one....he is one very intriguing man.

Another job well done!

NetGalley/ May 28th 2019 by Kensington Publishing Corporation

I received this ARC via Netgalley and the publisher in return for an honest review. It is the 5th book in a series but can be read as a stand-alone (I’d not read the previous books). Cat Latimer is a writer, who hosts writer retreats in her Victorian home. This time, she’s hosting a group from Chicago with some interesting interpersonal relationships. Add in that her friend/chef, Shauna, is accused of plagiarizing recipes for her upcoming cookbook and there’s much to chew on in this story! The murder victim is a famous chef and his relationships to many of the characters offers lots of options for the ‘who-done-it’. Luckily, both Cat’s significant other, Seth, and her Uncle Pete, the local Chief of Police, are on hand to help. This was a nice cosy and I’d definitely enjoy reading more in the series.

I usually really enjoy this series but this one just didn’t grab me as much as the others in the series.
I still like the premise of the retreat but the story in this one just didn’t live up to my expectations.
I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.

Cat and Shauna are at it again in this wonderful story by Lynn Cahoon. As a fan of this author, I find her books to be engaging and her characters are so realistic, I feel as if I know them personally.

Cat, Shauna, and Seth are back with the next writer’s retreat and a murder mystery. For a quiet town, Aspen Hills sure seems to have a lot of murders and with Cat’s Uncle Pete being the police chief, she’s always in the thick of things, and when a celebrity chef is found murdered in the local bakery, Cat finds there is a connection with an old friend that has her looking at things a little more closely.

The fifth in the series, this is the best one to date! It could be that I’m familiar with the series, but I think it’s mostly Lynn Cahoon’s writing…she’s one of my must read authors and reading this book will show you why.

Lots of suspects and red herrings that will keep you reading late into the night. I finished this one in under I day, I just could not put it down. If you’re a cozy lover, put this one on your summer reading list!

Sconed to Death Is Book 5 in The Fantastic Cat Latimer Mystery Series.
I really enjoy this series. The latest installment does not disappoint.

The Writers Retreat hosts a group of cozy authors (what else?) from Chicago. There is a bit of drama going on. Dee Dee Meyer is accusing Shauna of stealing, and a Fancy Famous Chef Greyson Finn is found dead in Dee Dee's bakery.

I love the characters in this book, including Cat who is always into something. The mystery is great and I did not guess the ending at all.

I really look forward to the next book in this series.

The idea of a writer's retreat is convincing enough to give this series a try, and if you are not hooked by now, what are you waiting for? This book has it all, humor, mystery, murder. How the author just ties everything together after throwing nothing but curveballs at you is genius. This book is chalked full of some of my favorite characters and I sincerely hope this author keeps writing this series. Every page turn is like diving into a wonderland filled with old friends.

Cat, Shauna, Seth & Uncle Pete are back for the next who done it during the current writers retreat. The local baker has a famous chef found dead in her bakery. Cat just can’t help getting involved in solving the crime.
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I am an avid cozy mystery series reader. Last fall, I began reading the Cat Latimer Mystery series by Lynn Cahoon, beginning with the 4th book that had been recently published at the time -- also when I'd won a giveaway copy or participated on a blog tour (can't remember!) and needed to read it ASAP! I enjoyed it so much, I went back to the beginning and caught up on the series. This 5th book comes out in a couple of months, but NetGalley generously approved me an ARC to read. I am a lucky guy for that reason as well as it having been quite a good book. 4.5 stars from me.

In this caper, the writer's retreat group is all normal / fun. No one is mean and trying to hurt each other, at least as far as we know. A few old friends pop up to visit Cat, and her relationship with Shauna and her Uncle Pete is really put to the test. Dee Dee, a rival baker, has it out for Shauna. Too bad a famous chef winds up dead and gets between them. Was it Dee Dee? The chef's brother or sister-in-law? A college employee with a vengeance? The health inspector? A mysterious fan? So many to choose from... the story kept me interested from start to finish. I was glad we saw Dante for a few pages, too, as I want him to come back from and center soon.

Sometimes you read a series for the mystery, other times it's due to the setting and characters. For me, this book's mystery was a little too easy to solve but it did have merit on many levels. On the flip side, the side stories and the everyday happenings in the main characters' lives were superb. Overall, I'm very happy with this new release and glad to see the series continues to shine. What's even better, in the back of the book, the title and publication date for the 6th book has been made available. It's not even listed on Goodreads, but I've got 10 months to wait, so maybe I should check out her other series, right?

I love these cozy murder mysteries by Lynn Cahoon. Her characters are so easy to relate to and she keeps moving the story along without revealing the end.

Kindle Copy for Review from Net Galley and Kensington Books.

I received an ARC of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Cat Latimer returns once more again with her sleuthing ways when a celebrity chef is found in a bakery. A bakery owned by a troublemaker who filed a complaint to the health inspector of her friend’s bakery and who she accused her of stealing recipes.

She must watch her step not to step on her uncle toes as chief of police as she investigates as well as the real killer before she becomes a casualty. Once again the author has another winner in the series.

Always enjoy Lynn Cahoon's stories, but I don't recall ever reading this series before, however, I was not disappointed. Well written mystery with intriguing characters as always, and plenty of twists and turns to keep it interesting. Definitely will be checking more of this series out.