Sleuthing with the Stars

Survivors' Book Club Mystery #6

by Lynn Cahoon

Sedona, Arizona’s New Chapter bookstore is a haven for Rarity Cole, who’s survived cancer and started an exciting second act in her life. With a film festival about to open in town, she has two big author events lined up—but after a live appearance, one of them winds up very unalive . . .

Business is booming as an Olympic cyclist and a famous filmmaker come to town for a film festival and schedule signings at Rarity’s bookshop. Luckily, her former employee Darby is back from Scotland and ready to help out. The vivacious young staffer catches the eyes of both authors and accepts a date with the filmmaker. Unfortunately, when she goes for popcorn and returns to her seat, she finds him dead. . .

Rarity is naturally an introvert who prefers escaping into a good book with her affectionate Yorkie by her side. But her bout with serious illness has taught her that life is precious. With help from her friends, her coworkers, and her sweetheart, Archer, she’s determined to untangle the web of secrets and lies surrounding the director’s death, and find out who wanted him out of the picture . . .

Genres: Mystery, Audiobook, Cozy Mystery

1 pages, Audio CD

Published February 24, 2026

About the author

NYT and USA Today bestselling author, Lynn Cahoon, writes the Tourist Trap, Cat Latimer, Farm-to-Fork, Kitchen Witch, Survivors' Book Club, the Haunted Life, and the Bainbridge Island cozy mystery series. No matter where the mystery is set, readers can expect a fun ride Sign up for her newsletter at www.lynncahoon.com

Reviews

[Deanna Milford · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable quick edition to this series. Always enjoy this cozy murder mystery survivors book club.

[Arlene Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another series I enjoy and recommend by Lynn Cahoon.
audiobook: 7h 8m

[Jackie Fletcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again Lynn tells a great story. Also love the narrative by C.S.E. Cooney!

[Deborah Almada · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am always happy to catch up with Lynn Cahoon's characters. This series takes us to Sedona, where we get to spend time at the Next Chapter bookstore. Besides our usual book groups, this volume finds Rarity and company doing book signings with two well-known people, first an Olympic cyclist who has written a book and then the next day the signing and showing of a film from a well-known filmmaker as part of Sedona's two week film festival. Everything flows well with the first event, unfortunately after Max Pike's talk and signing proceed as planned, as he is finishing signing some books for the store and while the film is showing outside someone decides to end the Attack of the Venus Spiders filmmaker. This immediately gets the usual crew into action! While Drew warns the group to concentrate on the film festival, you know Rarity, Sam, Archer, and the book group are going to try and find some answers to what actually happened in the bookstore. With Jonathan around to ride herd on the team, can answers be found before the festival is over or anyone gets hurt? It's worth your time to find out! I really enjoy spending time with the family Rarity and Killer have made for themselves! #SleuthingWiththeStars #ASurvivorsBookClubMystery #LynnCahoon
#bookreview #bookideas #retiredreader

[Joanie Hinton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good cozy series set in the beautiful town of Sedona, AZ, where it seems there is always a murder, and they always seem to involve the local bookstore and the owner and her friends.

[Jeanie Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sleuthing with the Stars, the fifth book in Lynn Cahoon's outstanding Survivors' Book Club Mystery, continues the first-rate series with the same quality of writing as the first four book, and her other series. Film festival week brings a busy time for New Chapter bookstore and its crew. Not only are they working both the store and the festival, but they have two mysteries to solve. A noted producer is murdered in the bookstore, and one of their own is being stalked. The standout characters and intricate plot worked together to make Sleuthing with the Stars another must read Lynn Cahoon cozy mystery. The bits of romance add the feel-good nature that each book brings.
Ms. Cahoon became one of my early must buy authors and I have been happy with that decision ever since.

[dnsyl57 · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Sleuthing with the Stars" is book #6 in the "Survivors' Book Club Mystery" series by Lynn Cahoon.

A book signing event during the Sedona Film Festival leaves the author dead. Add to that, Rarity's employee Darby had been hit on by the aging lothario and also may be being stalked by someone else. The Survivor's Book Club is on the case to figure out if the murder and the stalking are related.

The two cases seemed to overlap but Rarity and friends weren't so sure. I wasn't convinced they were related but it did get a bit confusing at times given that some of the same suspects may have been part of one or both. The murder case was more difficult to solve as some answers were much harder to find. In the end, I wasn't overly surprised at the outcome.

I do enjoy the core characters of this series. The subplots of this series are always interesting. Shirley is struggling with her feelings for Terrance while her husband George is nearing the end in hospice/memory care. Romance for Rarity & Archer, as well as Sam & Drew continues to evolve. The younger characters lead interesting lives outside of work and the book club. They act as a chosen family - caring, supporting, helping and also tossing in some playful teasing and banter. Add in a couple of adorable four legged furry companions for extra love and entertainment!

Overall, an entertaining cozy mystery.

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the sixth book in the Survivors' Book Club Mystery. What I like about the series is the sleuthing club are close friends, they chose to be a family. Shirley’s husband is failing during this story. His dementia and heath drive him into the hospital. He is in a skilled nursing facility as Shirley can’t care for him herself.

A local author is found dead during the showing of a film at the book store. Unfortunately, this author went on a date with Darby. Darby has an older doppelgänger in town. There are many twists, turns, and misdirections in this book. I enjoyed all of it.

There is a surprise ending which I found endearing.

I listened to this via Libby from my library. Narrated by C.S.E. Cooney!

[Scilla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rarity has a book signing party for an author which is followed by a movie which is shown outside the store. The man was still signing books when everyone went out to the movie. When Rarity goes back inside, the man is dead at his signing table. The author tried hitting on more than one person while signing including her employee Darby. Rarity makes believes someone is staulking Darby, and makes sure that someone is with Darby at at all times; several friends are staying at her home. They all go to a film festival and find there is a woman there who looks exactly like Darby. Shirley's husband George has severe Alzheimers, and Terrence is very interested in her. Rarity appears to be happy with her hiker friend Archer, and her friend Sam and the local policeman Drew appear to be in love. The murder of the book signer finally seems to be resolved and all well at the end.

[Helen Drake · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoy this series set in Sonoma. This time it’s Film Festival time with book signings for two authors. The second one had made a fantasy film about spiders and unfortunately was killed in the bookstore back room while the movie was being shown outside.

There are several clever devices that make the plot more complicated and interesting. I had my suspicions of who the killer might be but was surprised at the end.

I really enjoy the characters in this series. They are likable and I love how they are always there for each other.

I listened to the audiobook which brought the story to life.

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 6th book of the Survivors' Book Club Mysteries series. Rarity Cole prepares her Sedona, AZ, bookstore for a 2-week long film festival, bringing lots of Hollywood people to town. The director of a cult classic spider horror movie ends up dead in her store. Also, Derby has returned from Scotland and seems to have a stalker. Lots of fun and hijinks ensue as the book clubbers/sleuthers try to solve the murder. This series is a lot of fun to read. Different types of people of all different ages, all living in a fascinating town.

[Yifat Cestare · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the sixth in the series and was totally worth the wait. I thoroughly enjoyed the book. I always enjoy the characters and there is always enough to keep you guessing as to who the culprit is. If you have t read the series, you are really missing out. I’m already looking forward to the next one!