Reading An Amateur Sleuth’s Guide to Murder reminded me of my Nancy Drew days, when I wanted to follow in her footsteps solving mysteries.

Meg Gates has returned home to Bainbridge Island after being left at the altar. She’s literally looking for a new chapter in her life and it lands in the form of a job assisting the local bestselling author, Lilly Aster. She’s also helping out at her mother’s bookshop and starting to write her own book about sleuthing and investigation. When the author’s agent is found dead on the beach, she and her friends try to figure out who the culprit is and their motive.

A few things I really enjoyed in this book were the Nancy Drew references, the great setting and renewed friendships, and the idea of Meg’s book-in-progress. I also adore that the chapters are named and not just numbered. I’ve read more than a few new novels with this feature lately and am so happy authors are returning to this practice.

All in all, it’s quite an enjoyable read and I look forward to the next in the series!

3.5 stars rounded up to 4 stars. I’m a big fan of several of Lynn’s cozy series. Her Tourist Trap is a longtime favorite of mine, so I was excited for this new series. The premise is interesting and I like the cast of characters and well as the small island setting. The mystery was good but at times it did seem a bit overshadowed by the recent demise of Meg’s relationship and her reason for moving back to the island. I did love the Nancy Drew references, as a lifetime fan of the girl dectective, that was fun. Good read overall.

Fun series debut from veteran author Lynn Cahoon. For twenty-something Meg, the hits keep on coming. She's laid off and then finds out about her cheating fiancé just in the nick of time. As a result, she has to return to her hometown of Bainbridge Island, Washington, to rediscover who she is and what she wants. Her aunt's former career in publishing connects Meg with a job as a researcher for a local author. When the author's agent is murdered, Meg and her childhood friends set out to solve the crime.

Things fall into place pretty neatly for Meg and the mystery itself isn't terribly complicated, but the character development and PNW setting all set up readers for future entries in the series!

Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read an eARC!

An interesting start to a new series by Cahoon. The setting and characters are intriguing. I think the premise shows promise. This mystery seemed a bit simplistic, but I hope they improve as the series progresses.

This first title in the author's new series checks all the cozy mystery boxes: Island setting, bookstore setting, writers, pets and a low key romance. However, it just missed the mark a tad. The MC is a 20 something writing a book about how to solve mysteries having had no real experience doing so (solving high school mysteries doesn't count in my book) and that premise seemed a bit farfetched and distracting. Also distracting was the hand slap the MC would give herself each time she thought of an old boyfriend. The series has a solid footing but move along without those plot lines. Highly recommended to traditional cozy readers especially the 20-30 somethings. Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an eArc.

Lynn Cahoon's latest cozy mystery series is a delight. The author expertly balances a captivating mystery with lighthearted humor and rich character development. The story follows Meg Gates, a relatable heroine recovering from a breakup who finds a new job as a writer's assistant. Her life takes a turn when she finds a dead body at work, pulling her and her friends, Natasha and Dalton, into an investigation. The characters feel authentic, the dialogue is natural, and Meg's relationships with her family and friends are genuinely heartwarming. The charming backdrop of Bainbridge Island adds to the book's appeal. With a plot full of twists, this first installment is a fantastic start to the series.

I'd recommend this to anyone who loves a cozy mystery with a strong, supportive group of friends.

I received an advanced reader's copy from Kensington Books and NetGalley, and this is my honest review.

I'm equal parts excited and nervous when I start a new cozy mystery series. Will I enjoy the mystery? The amateur sleuth and other characters? The setting? Luckily, author Lynn Cahoon's stories never disappoint me.

I had a great time reading about Meg Gates, the family and friends she reconnects with when her life gets upended, the descriptions of Bainbridge Island (which I now want to visit), the mystery, and Megan's rescue pup, Watson. Together, they make an interesting tale that's well-worth reading. I truly enjoyed reading An Amateur Sleuth's Guide To Murder and think other readers will as well.

I'm eagerly awaiting the next book in this fun mystery series.

Many thanks to Kensington Publishing and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book. My thoughts and opinions are my own and without bias or favor or expectation.

Wow wow wow, give more books like this one. A story in a story and a well plotted and intriguing story in story
Well done, loved it
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

An Amateur Sleuth’s Guide to Murder by Lynn Cahoon is the first book in a new series introducing Meg Gates, who has recently returned home after a breakup with her fiance. She has been so overwhelmed by the man she thought she loved that she discovers she has no life without him, hence she is now living in the apartment over her aunt and uncle’s garage. She has two jobs: working part-time in her mother’s bookstore and working as a research assistant to an author who lives on the island. She rides her bike most places and is pretty happy. Of course, ex-fiances don’t stay in the past, but reappear to cause trouble and hers is no different, but really that’s the least of her worries. The recently fired agent of her boss ends up dead and since her uncle is police chief, she is close to the investigation. She and her friends, Dalton and Natasha, revert to their teen ways and determine to investigate. As they investigate, Meg keeps a list of the things she is learning about investigating with an eye to writing a book.

Meg is a good character; Cahoon has developed her well. She is not wallowing but is determined to earn enough money to return to college and get her degree. Her friend, Dalton, seems to want to be more than her friend, but is wise enough to back off and play the long game. Natasha owns a bakery and so supplies the treats. Her aunt, uncle, and mom are developed well enough to show potential. The mystery is well-developed, complex beyond first appearances. Really, a rather enjoyable read.

I was invited to read An Amateur Sleuth’s Guide to Murder by Kensington Publishing. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #KensingtonPublishing #LynnCahoon #AnAmateurSleuthsGuide to Murder

Meg is back on Bainbridge Island after a disasterous break-up. Her ex-fiance is not in Italy on what was supposed to be her honeymoon with one of her bride's maids. She feels like a failure working at her mother's bookstore and lucking into a part-time job because her aunt is friends with the well-known author. Meg is excited and thinks maybe she will write a book. When the agent for her employer is murdered, Meg is on the case. She decides to write a book on how to solve mysteries while she's at it.

The book was fun and is the first in the series. So far, it is not my favorite series by Lynn Cahoon, but it was entertaining. Meg is young and still not quite settled on what she wants to do with her life. She flits a bit. There is a love interest and the characters are likeable. The mystery was engaging and the writing style makes for a relaxing break.

I really enjoy the Kitchen Witch series that Cahoon writes so I was very excited to receive the first book in this series. From page one, the list of tips & tricks for amateurs sleuths, pulled me immediately. And that each step is the title of a chapter, what a clever idea.

Meg is headed home after her fiancé ran off with one of her bridesmaids. Besides working in her family’s bookstore she takes on as an assistant to a mystery author. Meg wants to write a how to book on investigating mysteries but suddenly has to put her know-how into actually solving a murder. This book is perfect for cozy fans, it reads like a love letter to them.

I loved the locale, the island Meg is from is described so beautifully. You will want to go there! I’m a sucker for islands & ocean towns so this is perfect. I will absolutely be looking out for future entries, I think Cahoon really has created something special here.

🫆

Read if you like:
* Cozy Capers series by Maddie Day
* Kitchen Witch series by Lynn Cahoon
* Beacon Bake Shop series by Darci Hannah

Lynn Cahoon has become one of my favorite cozy mystery writers. Each of her series are wonderful reads with a delightful cast of characters. I was thrilled to see she is releasing the first book in a new series. The characters are well developed and I am looking forward to spending more time with them through the pages of future books. The murder mystery will pull you into the story and have you working alongside Meg and her friends, Dalton and Natasha, in trying to scope out the person who committed the crime. I cannot wait for the next adventure with Meg and the people of Bainbridge Island, WA. Plus it will be fun watching the relationship between Meg and Dalton and see how it evolves.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Cozies for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

For more reviews, please visit my blog at: https://www.msladybugsbookreviews.com/. Over 1000 reviews posted!

Cozy
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I had such a good time listening to An Amateur Sleuth’s Guide to Murder. The Bainbridge Island setting gave the story a charming, small-town vibe that made me want to pack a bag and go sleuthing myself.

The red herrings were well done—I kept second-guessing myself right up until the reveal. Just when I thought I had it figured out, another twist would throw me off. Loved that!

Meg, our amateur sleuth, is super relatable, and I’m really intrigued to see how things develop between her and Dalton. There’s definitely some chemistry brewing there, and I’m here for it.

Each chapter in Lynn Cahoon’s delightful first book in her cozy mystery series begins with one of the tips that Meg Gates plans to use in her own mystery novel. Meg is currently unhappy with her life. Single after a broken engagement, she works only a part-time job at her mother’s bookstore. However, her life takes a positive turn when she is offered a job as an assistant to mystery writer Lily Aster. Although it’s just another part-time job, it encourages Meg’s desire to become a mystery writer herself.

When a dead body is discovered at her new job, Meg and her lifelong best friends decide to investigate the murder. This gives Meg real-time experience as a mystery writer. Unfortunately, it soon seems that the prime suspect in the murder is Lily, her new boss.

This intriguing cozy mystery is rich with a slow-burn romance and delightful characters (let’s not forget her adorable rescue dog, Watson). It’s a great start to a new series.

Many thanks to Kensington Cozies and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

Meg's having a hard time lately. A lost job. Her fiance ran off with her bridesmaid. And, she's had to return home to live near family. Starting over seems dismal, but then she finds a part-time job. Researcher for a mystery writer. Just as her new life and career are starting to form, she gets pulled into a real murder investigation.

Can Meg put her new-found knowledge about murders and murder to good use and catch a killer?

I loved this book from start to finish! Meg is a great main character. I love the setting and the background theme. There's a nice mix of humor and mystery as well.

Great start to a new series! I will definitely be reading more! I look forward to the next book.

In this first book of a new series we meet Meg Gates, a woman whose life isn't going at all how she had hoped. Her life so far has been one failure after another, she dropped from college to work at a tech company that ended up folding and her fiance left her for one of her bridesmaids. Even though she hates it she leaves Seattle and returns to Bainbridge Island to stay with her family. She gets research work for a local mystery author but that job turns into a deadly one, literally. Her boss's manager bites the big one and is found dead among the rocks beneath the authors mansion. Her boss becomes the main suspect leaving Meg worried for her future, she decides she must investigate and clear her name so she'll still have a job. Follow along and see where her sleuthing leads her will she figure out who the killer is in the end?

I really enjoyed some of the other series by this author, but this one just didn't click with me. Meg is definitely over beating herself over a failed relationship and the other characters aren't really flushed out for me. Guess I'll just stick with the other series instead.

3.5/5 ⭐️
The first in a new cozy series finds the protagonist Meg moving home to Bainbridge Island after her fiancé leaves her right before their wedding. She starts working at her mom's bookstore and for a local author. When a man associated with the author is murdered, Meg's new boss is immediately the main suspect. However, Meg knows she cannot be guilty. Using the ideas she is writing about in her own to-be book, Meg sets out to find the real killer.

I thought this was pretty solid for a debut! I liked the setting and the overall characters. However, I am still not sure exactly why Meg is writing the book she is. It felt weird for her to start writing this before the first mystery was solved. Yes, she had solved some very minor things in middle school, but it didn't seem like she had done any recent sleuthing until this investigation. There were also a few things that felt contradictory with characters or where I had to go back and double check I didn't miss anything. Despite that though, I think this was a fun read. I definitely think there is promise for this series, especially because sometimes the first in a series can be rocky. I will definitely read the next in this series to see how that goes!

I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

An Amateur Sleuth's Guide to Murder is Lynn Cahoon's first mystery in the Bainbridge Island mysteries. This cozy includes failed romance which leads to retreat to mom's family on island, murder of despised book promoter, amateur crime solvers and bookselling. Meg Gates is working at her mom's bookstore and doing assignments for a famous mystery writer. Her uncle is the town police chief who wants her to say away from crime solving. She is meeting a new man friend who m ay or may not be a future romantic interest. Charming cozy.

An Amateur Sleuth’s Guide to Murder by Lynn Cahoon Is the first A Bainbridge Island Mystery. The story is easy to read, but I found the pacing to be leisurely (needed a little more pep). Eliminating repetitive details would have helped. I like Meg as well as her family, friends, and dog (such a cutie). The characters need more fleshing out, so they have more personality like Watson, Meg’s dog. I enjoyed the descriptions of Bainbridge Island (a great place to live in the spring, summer, and fall). The mystery was uncomplicated and a cinch to solve. I wish the whodunit had been more complex and at the forefront of the story. It took a backseat to Meg’s two jobs, walking Watson, eating (fish and chips as well as Chinese food were two favorites), and spending time with friends and family. While Meg says she is not ready for another romantic relationship, she certainly thinks about it a lot. An Amateur Sleuth’s Guide to Murder is a nice story, but I want it to be less women’s fiction and more cozy mystery (emphasis on mystery). An Amateur Sleuth’s Guide to Murder has a ferry journey, beautiful Bainbridge Island, a murdered literary agent, unique assignments, old friends, an inkling of an idea, and delectable mac & cheese.