4.5 stars

This is the twelfth book in the Tourist Trap mystery series by Lynn Cahoon.

I am always excited to return to South Cove. This has to be one of my favorite series right now. I thought the mystery was excellent and it really kept my attention but I was surprised Esmerelda wasn’t more involved in the story considering she was the m ain suspect though most of the book. I missed seeing Jill’s Aunt and Esmerelda most of all. They usually play much bigger roles in the storyline. I think the addition of the new employee took the place of these other two recurring character’s screen time. I hope they don’t fall out of the series. I love seeing them crop up from time to time. They can give a plot that “bam” surprise or sudden insight Jill needs in her time of wondering about whodunit.

Definitely recommend this series. Wish there were more books. I will have to reread the entire series to get my fill of South Cove and keep me ready for the next book in the series. It is the community in this book that keeps you coming back for more! So good.

If you like cozy mysteries, definitely check this one out. You won’t be disappointed.

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.

Picture Perfect Frame by Lynn Cahoon is the 12th in her Tourist Trap series. The series centers on Jill Gardner, owner of Coffee, Books and More in South Cove California. The cast of returning characters all make an appearance. Jill and her long-time boyfriend, Greg, are attending a paint and sip function. Nan, one of the attendees, has overindulged in the sip portion of the evening. Greg, being the lead detective in South Cove, keeps an eye on her and makes sure she and her husband have a ride back to their room at a local bed and breakfast. All is well until the next morning when Nan’s body is discovered inside the paint and sip business. Greg handles the police investigation but Jill steps in as an amateur sleuth because one of her friends seems to top the suspect list.
The Tourist Trap series always has the same premise. But the stories are all different enough that I never get bored. This is one of my favorite cozy mysteries. It is a fun, quick read. I always look forward to a new Tourist Trap book. It is by far my favorite series in her library.

Picture Perfect Frame is a great cozy mystery featuring Jill Gardner and her Coffee, Books, and More shop in South Cove. It has an interesting cast of characters including my favorite, her boyfriend Greg who is also a policeman. The mystery is solid with plenty of twists and turns. This is my first in the Tourist Trap Mystery series and I look forward to reading the rest.

I love the Tourist Trap series by Lynn Cahoon and have been following Jill Gardner's adventures in South Cove, California from the beginning. This installment begins with Jill dealing with changes at her cafe/bookstore, Coffee, Books and More and trying to balance old and new staff. She also has the drama of her bff Amy's wedding. She's Amy's maid of honor and is constantly reassuring and soothing her worries. On top of everything the town is gearing up for it's St Patrick's Day Festival and welcoming a new arts business into the community. The mystery begins when one of the art store patraints and a client of Esmeralda turns up dead. Esmeralda needs Jill's help to clear her name.

The mystery itself was entertaining, I loved the interactions with Deek and Toby and I found Evie an interesting new character. I missed Aunt Jackie in this one and found there could have been more done to develop Esmeralda's story as she is such an interesting character.

Still, I enjoyed the book as usual and Lynn Cahoon set up a lot of interesting storylines for the next book in the series including a very special cliff hanger. I can't wait!

South Cove is gearing up for a St. Patrick's Day festival. Esmerelda is a suspect in a murder and Jill is determined to find the true killer. The town is divided on Esmerelda’s guilt. The characters are interesting and fun. This book can be read as a stand alone however I would encourage people to start at the beginning of this amazing series.
#PicturePerfectFrame #NetGalley

Several new characters pop up in this book with new employees and new businesses open, but not everyone is fitting in as well as they had hoped especially when it looks like someone has killed a tourist. Jill and Greg are back on the investigation hunt in a hurry when it looks like a local is on the hook with the public and might just get ran out of town. Great characters, interesting plot and great twists to keep you guessing. While you could definitely read and enjoy this book on it's own, you would be missing out on tons of reading pleasure and great character development as backstories are filled in a bit more for each of the various characters in each book.

It's Spring time in South Cove. Jill Gardner and her boyfriend Greg King are enjoying a paint and sip event at the new business Drunken Art Studio, sponsored by newcomers Meredith and Neal Cole.There they meet a drunk pair Steve and Nan Gunter. Greg is hoping they don't get under the wheel so when Neal offers to drive them to their room Greg is relieved and enjoys the class. The next morning Nan is found dead inside the studio and all signs point to Esmeralda the town dispatcher and local fortune teller. This puts the town into division. Some say she's a witch, burn her at the stake while others can't even imagine her doing a crime.. Jill isn't about to sit back and let an innocent woman go to prison but there are far too clues as to anyone else. Can she help solve the crime or will she become the next victim. ? Great series and realistic characters.

Picture Perfect Frame (Tourist Trap Mystery #12) by Lynn Cahoon
Publisher: Kensington Books
Genre: Mystery & Thrillers
Release Date: March 16, 2021

Picture Perfect Frame is the twelfth book in the Tourist Trap Mystery series by Lynn Cahoon. I had not read the previous books in the series, but was able to quickly jump into this one as a standalone book!

Overall, I really enjoyed this book! The characters were very likable, the storyline was great and the mystery was fascinating.

I look forward to reading the other books in the future (and the previous books). I would definitely recommend this to anyone who loves a great cozy mystery!

I'm so grateful to Lynn Cahoon, Kensington Books, and NetGalley for providing me with a free copy of this ARC ebook in exchange for my honest review.

Visiting South Cove is always such a pleasure. A fast paced well written cozy. I love the characters. Looking forward to my next visit. Thanks #netgalley for my eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoy these characters and the cozy feel of the town. I like how things evolve for each character in every book.
I'd like more of Esmeralda and her guide, but then I really enjoy paranormal cozies.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for my eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Welcome back to South Cove and the eclectic cast of characters which are anchored by the ever curious Jill. These cozy mystery series by Lynn Cahoon never disappoint. They are diverting and entertaining. She ends this Tourist Trap book on a cliffhanger so don't miss out!

I am becoming a huge fan of the cozy mystery genre due to books like this. You can read this as an escape from the everyday in a weekend. A really good mystery.

I enjoy all my visits to South Cove and this one was no exception. The story moved at a good pace and I was left guessing until the very end. <spoiler> Despite the fact that Esmerelda was a suspect, I felt like she was a very small part of the story and she’s still a big mystery. I wish we had gotten to know more about her. The whole thing with Amy’s wedding is getting annoying and I am so glad that's all over with. </spoiler>. Looking forward to the next one.

I received a copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

#PicturePerfectFrame #NetGalley

Picture Perfect Frame is the 12th book in Lynn Cahoon's Tourist trap series. South Cove is gearing up for a St. Patrick's Day festival and all the favorite characters are there--- plus two newcomers. The business operators are in decorating mode when the unthinkable happens---a murder. Esmerelda is front and center in this episode and Jill is determined to clear her name.
As with every book in this series the enjoyment comes from the close knit characters, the small town atmosphere and the race to discover the culprit. The clues and misdirection add to the mystery, while the fast pace adds to the suspense. I enjoyed this book so much! I am already looking forward to the next wonderful installment.
Thank you to #NetGalley #PicturePerfectFrame #KensingtonPublishing for giving me an ARC of this book. All views expressed are my own. I review books that I enjoy so that others may enjoy them, too.

I love the Tourist Trap cozy mystery series by Lynn Cahoon and book 12-Picture Perfect Frame is a great addition. Jill Gardner owns Coffee, Books and More. Her boyfriend, Greg King, is the South Cove Police Chief. South Cove is having a St Patricks Day Festival and all of the businesses are participating. There is a new business, Paint and Sip and Jill and Greg are there for an opening event. There is a couple there who cause a scene and the wife ends up dead. Esmerelda quits working at the police station which has both Greg and Jill worried. On top of all of that, Jill is the Maid of Honor for her best friend Amy's upcoming wedding and Amy is an emotional bridezilla. This all keeps Jill busy, but not too busy to look into the murder case.. The relationship between Jill and her Aunt Jackie is a little odd in this book but a lot of the characters from previous books make an appearance. The series has all the great parts of cozy mysteries- likable characters, family, friendship, romance, and an intriguing cozy mystery. The mystery is solved but I wasn't sure until the end. The book ends with Amy and Justin's wedding and a surprise. This was an enjoyable book and it was nice to revisit South Cove and the characters we have come to love! #NetGalley #PicturePerfectFrame #LynnCahoon

Jill Gardner has a full schedule - she's helping her best friend Amy with her upcoming wedding, preparing for the St. Patrick's Day Street Fair, running her business - Coffee, Books and More - and trying to figure out why her neighbor and friend Esmeralda is suddenly talking about leaving South Cove. When a woman Jill met briefly is murdered, she can add amateur sleuth to the " to do" list.

Jill is a wonderfully written character and has grown into a successful business woman and sleuth. My favorite thing about her is that she doesn't rush into trouble and is thoughtful and clever when solving a mystery. The author has created a "real" character that the reader can identify with - Jill is independent, smart and kind but has her insecurities as we all do.

In this book, her Aunt Jackie does not play as large a part, but she's adjusting to married life. I alternately grinned and sympathized when Jill was dealing with her good friend and "bride to be" Amy. The rest of the CBM crew Toby, Deeke there and a new barista, Evie is a good addition to the team. And of course, the lovable canine buddy, Emma is there too!

I'm looking forward to the next trip to South Cove!

I received an ARC from NetGalley and the opinions expressed in this review are my own.

PICTURE PERFECT FRAME is the twelfth book in the Tourist Trap Mystery series by Lynn Cahoon. This newest addition to a long-enjoyed series is a fun return to the small beach town of South Cove, California and catching up with protagonist Jill Gardner. It’s like visiting a friend and their charming town after an absence. The descriptive setting is picture perfect, especially Jill’s delightful shop Coffee, Books, and More… a place I’d dearly love to hang out in. Ms. Cahoon has created appealing characters and I love how she introduces new ones who grow into key supporting characters over time. Most of them are hardworking, caring townsfolk, with minor idiosyncrasies. Except for Esmerelda, the town’s quirky medium, who marches to the beat of her own drummer. I really, really have enjoyed Esmerelda, who livens up each of the scenes she’s been in throughout the series and I was happy to see her receive more page time in this book.

In Picture Perfect Frame, Esmerelda is in trouble and seems to be involved in the newest murder in town. Jill’s detective boyfriend, Greg, asks Jill to find out what’s going on with Esmerelda, after she quit her job working for Greg. From there, it doesn’t take long for Jill to start hunting down clues to clear her friend’s name. I liked that instead of Greg telling Jill to stay out of the investigation, he appreciates her valuable input as long as she’s mindful of her safety. Despite there not being a plethora of suspects, there are plenty of twists and clues to keep the reader guessing. The plot moves along steadily and kept my interest. While the reveal was a bit anticlimactic, it wrapped up the threads of the investigation and with a hint at new changes in Jill’s life, leaves me wanting the next installment sooner than later.

Visiting South Cove is always a treat for this reader. Catching up with Jill and Greg is always so much fun, because you know Jill is going to get wrapped up in another murder investigation.
I really enjoyed Picture Perfect Frame, especially because it focused around Esmerelda, who happens to be one of my favorite people in the series.
It seems that some people aren’t happy with Esmerelda and her special abilities, so when she finds herself a person of interest in a murder investigation, she hides in her home, embarrassed. Jill refuses to let this happen, so she begins to ask questions, no matter how much it annoys Greg.
The end was very exciting, so I am anxiously waiting for the next book.

This series is one of my favorite if not THE favorite of all I read. The characters, their actions, and all are way above the average level. I'm wishing there was another one right now so I could jump in with both feet.

Thanks to Kensington Books and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.

First I would like to thank Netgalley and Kensington books for the opportunity to read and review this book.

This is my favorite series from Lynn Cahoon! I love going back to South Cove, it sounds like the perfect picturesque town that I would love to visit, as long as I'm not murdered!
I love the characters in this series and I feel like they have become friends that I love to go and visit, I'm really enjoying how the characters lives are progressing and changing. I look forward to going back to South Cove to see what happens next.