Sconed to Death

Cat Latimer Mystery #5

by Lynn Cahoon

Cat Latimer pursues a scone-cold killer who iced a top chef in a local bakery . . . Cat has a full plate at her Aspen Hills Warm Springs Resort, as a group of aspiring cozy mystery authors arrives for a writers retreat. So when baker Dee Dee Meyer stirs up trouble by filing a false complaint with the health inspector against the B&B—all because she insists Cat's best friend Shauna stole her recipes—Cat marches into the shop to confront her. But Dee Dee's about to have her own batch of trouble. Greyson Finn—a celebrity chef and, until today, one of Denver's most eligible bachelors—has been found dead in her bakery. Cat's uncle Pete, who happens to be the chief of police, warns her not to engage in any half-baked sleuthing. But as her curiosity rises, Cat's determined to discover who served the chef his just desserts—before the killer takes a powder . . . Praise for Lynn Cahoon   “Better get your flashlight handy, A Story to Kill will keep you reading all night.” —Laura Bradford, author of the Amish Mysteries “Lynn Cahoon has created an absorbing, good fun mystery in Mission to Murder.” —Fresh Fiction

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Cozy, Fiction, Audiobook, Mystery Thriller, American

286 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 28, 2019

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

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

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?

[LORI CASWELL · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dollycas’s Thoughts

A group of cozy mystery writers from Chicago arrives for the latest retreat at the Aspen Hills Warm Springs Resort and they are excited about everything Cat and Shauna have planned. A cooking demonstration, a trip to the college library, a couple of lectures, some speed writing games, and plenty of time to write.

Cat and Shauna get a little sidetracked when the health inspector shows up at the door in answer to a complaint. A complaint by Dee Dee Meyer, owner of the local bakery, all because she thinks Shauna is stealing her recipes. Really the woman is just out for attention. And attention is just what she gets when a body is found in her bakery. Why would celebrity chef Greyson Finn even be there? He has restaurants in Denver and is one of the city’s most eligible bachelors. He and Dee Dee? . . . No way! She wouldn’t kill him in HER bakery, would she?

Cat’s uncle/the chief of police tells her to take care of her retreat and he will take care of HIS investigation. She just can’t do it though, especially when he shows up for dinner every night and the retreat authors are even throwing around their own theories about the crime. But can she catch the scone-cold killer or will she be the next one on their list?

__________

This is my new favorite book in this series. I loved this group of cozy mystery writers! They were fun to read about because they had fun with each other and they care about each other. One author is dealing with a situation at home that has followed them to the retreat. The others try to be understanding and give the author some space but step in with advice when the time is right. They also welcome the retreater from the college with open arms. Mollie is a huge fan of Cat’s books so she was thrilled to be chosen to participate in this retreat. She was equally as thrilled about all the new author friends she quickly makes. The best thing was them hashing out puny titles for books and discussing fresh new ways to kill their victims. Fiction imitating real life, I am sure.

The core characters Cat, Shauna, Seth, and Uncle Pete have all continued to grow. The subplots dealing with real-life issues mix in nicely with the main murder plot. Cat, Shauna, and Seth love hosting the retreats but are starting to feel the need for some time away from Aspen Hills. Shauna connects with her brother in New York and makes plans for a trip when this retreat ends. Cat and Seth are planning for a getaway when she returns. Uncle Pete’s is missing his Alaska girlfriend and he may be spending more time there in the future. I think Shauna had the most growth as she is getting so much better at handling the grief after the recent death of her boyfriend. Some furry felines make great listeners and cuddlers.

That main mystery is very well-plotted. Cat tempers her curiosity better this time, making smarter decisions, but that doesn’t mean she doesn’t put herself in harm’s way. There were several red herrings to twist things up. I had a great time following along with Cat as she did her sleuthing. With plenty of rumors about the chef, I understood both Uncle Pete’s and Cat’s difficulty pinning down the killer. I changed my mind a few times myself.

Great characters and realistic dialogue made this book a joy to read. I was captivated from beginning to end.

There is a Cranberry Scone recipe at the back of the book, but Shauna deals with several bushels of apples throughout the entire book. By the time I turned the last page I was craving apple pie and apple butter. So much so they were added to our grocery list until we can get fresh apples this fall.

I recommend reading this series in order for maximum enjoyment.

[Nila (digitalcreativepages) · Rating 4 out of 5]

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...

[Betty · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is always a pleasure in reading a Cat Latimer and the fifth in the series did not disappoint. The Writer's Retreat is hosting a group of cozies writer from the Midwest near Chicago. This retreat is a fun time. Dee Dee Meyer is accusing Shauna of stealing her recipes and filing complaints against the Writer's Retreat kitchen. Greyson Finn—a celebrity chef is planning a high-end restaurant for Aspen Hills He is found dead in Dee Dee's bakery. Cat's uncle wants to focus on the retreat and stay out of the Greyson' investigation, Cat's curiosity keeps bringing the problem to her. Shauna heads to New York City, will she return? I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK AND SERIES.
A Recipe for Lynn cranberry scones is included.

Disclosure: Thanks to Kensington Books for a copy through NetGalley. The opinions expressed are my own.

[Tari · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always love visiting the Warm Springs Writers' Retreat in this series! Cat always gets involved somehow in a murder, but this time she was lucky enough not to have found the body. However, her natural curiosity and wanting to help people took over and she did end up stopping a killer in their tracks.

I liked that this group of writers were cozy mystery authors. It was fun to hear them toss around their ideas and enjoy being at the retreat. The side story about Shauna planning to go visit her estranged brother in NYC was good. I wasn't sure if she'd be able to pull it off, since she does enjoy cooking for Cat even when there's not a retreat. It was cute to see her being a mother hen and wanting to make sure that both Cat and Seth had enough food in their houses and food made ahead for the week after the retreat. I wasn't totally sure about who the killer was, and I didn't have the reason down, but the showdown was pretty good. Cat seems to be getting a little cleverer and more careful with each case. It was pretty awesome when she took down the killer. I saw that the next book is scheduled for February and I'm happy that at least this is one series that I'm caught up in.

[Susan Kennedy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love a good cozy mystery and I would say this is one of my favorites. I love these characters very much. Lynn's writing makes you feel like you are really apart of the community as well. You can't beat great writing, great character development and a fun story. Outstanding writing for a cozy mystery.

As in all my reviews, I'm a stickler for character development. I want to love or hate the characters and with this group, they are fantastic! The development is top notch. I feel like I'm right there and a part of the community or maybe a part of the writers retreat. Cat is the main protagonist and she is very likeable. The others in her sphere are her boyfriend Seth and her best friend and Writer's Retreat chef, Shauna. Last, there is her Uncle Pete who is the Police Chief. He is fantastic too and the interactions he has with each of them is great. I love all four of these characters and how they interact. They are a family and I love the dynamic they produce. Then there are the Writer's Retreat guests. They all have their own personalities and nuances, making them each very unique. They have great interaction with Cat and her group as well as within their own little circle. I love that everyone becomes a part of the story, even if it's not really a part of the mystery itself. They still play an integral part of making the story interesting and fun. I love an author who has great character development. This always makes the stories so much better for me.

The story itself was fantastic. You get a bit of every day life with the characters, their personal trials and triumphs. You watch the guests having a blast writing and learning more about writing and publishing books. Then you have Cat who just can't help herself by investigating the crime that has happened. She is very good at it too. Although, Lynn does a fantastic job of never truly giving it away until the end.

This was a fantastic book with amazing characters. This is definitely a cozy mystery series that I will continue to read.

[JoAn · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book from Kensington via NetGalley. All of the above opinions are my own.

[Amy the book-bat · Rating 4 out of 5]

I still think this series needs a cookbook to go along with it.

[Kirsti · Rating 3 out of 5]

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 were 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.

[Kristina Anderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sconed to Death is the fifth novel in A Cat Latimer Mystery series, but it can be read alone. The information a readers’ needs to know is incorporated into the story. Cat Latimer is a former English professor who inherited her ex-husband’s Victorian and turned it into a writer’s retreat. She offers retreats one week a month and spends the rest of the time writing her young adult series. Cat is fortunate to have Shauna and Seth working with her to make the retreats run smoothly for their literary guests. Cozy mystery writers from Chicago descend upon the Victorian for a week of writing, research, critiquing and workshops. When popular Denver chef, Greyson Finn turns up dead at the local bakery, Cat cannot help but look into the crime (despite being told by Uncle Pete and others to not investigate) especially when she learns Jessica Blair, an old friend, is a suspect. I liked that the writers in the retreat were cozy mystery writers. I enjoyed their plotting sessions, discussing reviewers and ratings (three stars is not bad rating), and their inventive book titles. The title session was particularly humorous. It is nice that there is a new batch of writer’s in each book with a variety of personalities and situations. The kittens were adorable and with the writers’ words, I could picture them scampering about getting into mischief. Shauna receives a large batch of apples and she comes up with some creative as well as delicious recipes for them. There were several viable suspects in Chef Finn’s death, red herring and good clues. Those of us who read a copious amount of cozy mysteries will not find this puzzle perplexing. I wish there had been some action in the book which would have helped the pacing. I also tired of Cat frequently being told to stay out of the investigation. My favorite phrase came from Miss Applebome who said to Cat, “Try not to get yourself killed. I’d hate to be the one to tell your uncle what you were doing.” Sconed to Death is a cozy readers delight with a dead chef, an inquisitive writer, appetizing apple creations, and impish tabbies.

[Carrie Schmidt · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s clear the author loves these characters & therefore they feel like dear friends to us too every we open the pages of a new book in the series. In Sconed to Death I feel like we get different aspects to each of these main characters (Cat, Shauna, Seth, Uncle Pete), giving them even more dimension than we’ve seen so far in the series.

The mystery is, as always, well plotted and while I was right again in guessing whodunit I wasn’t completely sure this time. I felt like all the suspects were equally plausible, and I wouldn’t have been surprised at being wrong when the villain was finally revealed. This again kept my sleuthing radar at full attention during the entire read, and I felt at times like I was following close behind Cat & peeking over her shoulder as she put clues together.

The nods & winks to the cozy mystery genre & its authors (thanks to the current group of retreaters) made this story even more delightful than it already was. This might be my favorite group of retreat-goers so far, simply because they collectively write in this genre so the scenes with them felt like an appreciation of cozy mysteries and the reasons we love them.

Bottom Line: Sconed to Death will have you heading to the nearest source of delicious scones to eat while you read, as well as hunting down some yummy apples for snacking & baking & caramel apple waffles. (YUM! My mouth is watering again.) So yeah fair warning – don’t read this book hungry or you’ll be in trouble haha! Tensions are running high in several different areas in this mystery, and the well-crafted plot will keep you guessing at every turn. Based on the way this book ended, I’m even more looking forward to book #6 than I already was!

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)

first seen at Reading Is My SuperPower

[Peggy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 5th book in the Cat Latimer Mystery series and a welcome addition. When finish one of these books I always feel that I have been entertained and challenged to figure out the identity of the killer. Cat is a fun character that I enjoy revisiting. The fact that she is a writer givers her a natural curiosity that lends itself to her ammeter sleuthing. She is loyal and will put herself in the middle of an investigation when someone she knows is a suspect. I don't consider Cat headstrong or foolish in her sleuthing, but she does manage to find herself in trouble more often than not. The secondary characters - Shauna, Seth and Uncle Pete make a return appearance and round out the story. They try to balance Cat's enthusiasm for investigating. I like that each new book has different attendees at a writers retreat. It allows for a rotating cast of secondary characters that add something different to each story. There were plenty of suspects to choose from in this case and while the identity of the killer was not a surprise when revealed it was enjoyable watching Cat and company try to come of with a primary suspect and motive.

This is a very enjoyable series and I look forward to more to come. I voluntarily read an advanced review copy provided to me by the publisher, Kensington, through Netgalley.

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love visiting the Warm Springs Writers' Retreat hosted by Cat Latimer. For a small town, it seems there are a lot of murders that she gets involved with. This time around, she didn't know the victim, but she used to be best friends with his sister-in-law. One of the things I like about this series is the actual retreats and meeting new characters in each story. This time around, the guests were a group of cozy mystery writers. I found that fun, and listening to them talking about the writing process and trying to come up with titles for one of the members of the group was a hoot. When Cat is asked to head to the local bakery to talk to Dee Dee, the owner about harassing Shauna it ended up backfiring. The next day, she is being questioned about the murder of a man in the bakery. Fortunately, this time she did not find the victim, nor know him. What she does do is start investigating and find out that there were many people that might have wanted him dead.

This was a fun story. Cat is a great protagonist. She is a caring person who often goes the extra mile to help people. This and her natural curiosity has her sneaking around behind her Uncle Pete's back while he, being the Chief of Police, is trying to investigate properly. I was pretty sure who the killer was and as it turned out, I was right, but that did not stop me from enjoying the story and loving the final takedown. Shauna and Seth, Cat's partners and team in running the retreat, are great characters as well. Shauna has her own storyline writing a cookbook, offering cooking classes and heading off to New York to meet up with her estranged brother. I hope we learn more about that in the next book. Seth is a great love interest for Cat. They work together, do some investigating together and are really good for one another.

Overall, I enjoyed the stories about the characters as well as the mystery. This is another great addition to the Cat Latimer Mystery series. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book upon request. The rating, ideas and opinions shared are my own.

[Patrizia · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stelle e mezza
Sono rimasta un po' indietro con questa serie, ma prendendo il mano questo libro è stato come tornare fra vecchi amici. Mi piace l'idea del ritiro per scrittori e l'atmosfera che si crea. Il colpevole non è stato un gran sorpresa, ma più che scoprire chi fosse mi è piaciuto leggere tutto il resto di quello che accadeva nella storia.

[Kevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars
Another good book in the series, in a little less then a week I’ve read all of the Cat Latimer Mysteries that have been published so far and all told I’ve grown very attached to the characters and the mysteries themselves have been logical, making sense when the culprit is revealed. Unfortunately now I have to wait a whole month before the next book is released.

This was my favorite book in the series so far, reason being was the absence of the character that I like the least Dante. I hope his lack of scenes in this book means the author is phasing him out.

[Taryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cat is getting ready for her next group of writers and is hoping that everything will go well. She truly wants this new venture to work out and looks forward to working with a new group of writers. Cat and Shauna seem to have worked out most of the kinks from previous groups and can't wait to meet everyone. Things are going well until a local baker sicks the health department on the ladies. Dee Dee is jealous of Shauna and her cooking abilities and has even gone as far to say that she stole some of her recipes. Cat decides to confront Dee Dee to nip this situation in the bud but ends up in a surprising moment. She finds a dead man in Dee Dee's bakery, he ends up being none other than Greyson Finn, a celebrity chef who everyone knows about. What was Greyson doing in their town much less Dee Dee's bakery. Even though Cat's Uncle tells her to stay out of this investigation she can't help but start looking into things. She is afraid with the animosity between Shauna and Dee Dee that Shauna might get pulled into the investigation. As she starts talking to people and following clues Cat ends up with more questions than answers. She starts to feel stalled in her investigation and has theories coming from several directions. Will she be able to keep her new business out of it all or will it get pulled into the mix too. This was my first foray into this series and I was pulled in from the beginning. I've already gone back to the beginning and started reading the first book and can't wait to catch up. I thought it was well put together, with a great plot and some fun characters. I'm anxious to get to know them better and look forward to the next book.

[Shanelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy of Sconed to Death as part of a goodreads giveaway. I am very pissed off after finishing this book.. Why? Because I found out this one is book # 5. I've missed out on parts 1-4 of this series.. Well, the only thing to do now is go and hunt them down.

In all seriousness. If you're looking for a good cozy mystery, I mean great cozy mystery, this is the one for you. I'll be checking out the other books in this series and other books by this author post-haste.

[Micky Cox · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fantastic addition to the Cat Latimer Writer's Retreat series! If you haven't read this series you should absolutely get started. You could read this book as a stand alone story and not be completely lost, but you would miss out on tons of enjoyment and entertainment by skipping the rest of the series. This installment blends wonderful and unique personalities of the writer's at the retreat, townspeople and friends with a well plotted murder mystery that will keep you on your toes trying to figure out who the guilty party is. You definitely don't want to miss this book if you like a good cozy mystery.

[Susan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Author Cat Latimer has a group of cozy writers from Chicago holding a retreat at her large Victorian house. On the whole, they're a congenial bunch, though one of them left a lot of personal problems at home. But there's trouble in Cat's beautiful mountain town when a dead body is found in the backroom of the local bakery. Cat's former friend Jessica (there's a lot of back story in this) is the suspect in the killing, since it's her brother-in-law who was murdered, and rumor has linked the two in an illicit affair. Can Cat clear Jessica, and even if she can, will she? Or will she heed the warnings of her uncle, the police chief? Can't say I cared that much.

[Patty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sconed to Death by Lynn Cahoon is the 5th book in the Cat Latimer Mystery series, and another fun addition. Let me start by saying I am a big fan of the authors Tourist Trap Mysteries, and I love this series too. It also helps I was born and still live in beautiful Colorado. Cat Latimer is a successful author of a teen witch series who inherited a large Victorian home from her ex husband. Cat has opened a writers retreat in the Colorado home. Cat and her best friend/partner, Shauna, the retreat cook and baker, are being inspected from the health department after complaints are made. On top of that Greyson Finn, a famous Denver Chef, is found dead in the local bakery. Cat is determined to get to the truth. There are twists and turns around every corner. I found this book to be a quick read, with a well developed plot and characters. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series. I recommend this book/series, and the authors other series, to any one who enjoys a well written cozy mystery. 

I reviewed a digital arc provided by NetGalley and Kensington Publishing. Thank you.

[Karen (BaronessBookTrove) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy from the Great Escapes Book Tours. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Why would anyone want to kill the chef?
Sconed to Death by Lynn Cahoon is a fun whodunit set in the small town Colorado. The characters are so well developed and formed a beautiful little family.
Cat Latimer
Cat is a former college professor, turned full-time writer with a side hustle that hosts writing retreats in her large Victorian home.

I like that Cat tries to keep her nose out of the investigation into the famous chef’s death. However, come on, she is the sleuth here, so sticking her nose in other people’s business is what she does. I also liked that she is herself and she is comfortable in her skin. Here is the kicker, my favorite thing is that she listens but doesn’t give unsolicited advice (except to Shauna).

Cat is a great character and sleuth. I couldn’t find anything that I disliked about her.
Mystery
The mystery was exceptionally well plotted, and the clues were there, but you didn’t know if Cat was on the right track until the climax of course. I suspected the culprit but for some reason wouldn’t commit. I guess I should have gone with my gut.
Things I Like

The members of the writers’ group were fabulous with the constant game of how to kill people.
The group were great friends and were able to complete lots of work during their retreat.
Cat’s relationship with her Uncle Pete is honest and loving.
Seth and Cat are a cute couple.
The college librarian gave Cat passwords and then told her that her Uncle was going to be disappointed.
Snow and the dwarfs.

4 Stars for Sconed to Death by Lynn Cahoon
 My rating for Sconed to Death by Lynn Cahoon is four stars. The mystery and the story were entertaining, and the characters are funny and believable. There is more going on that just a murder, and that is honestly what makes this book so good. 

I recommend this book to all Cozy fans. 


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This review was originally posted on Baroness' Book Trove

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cat Latimer is hosting the next writers' retreat this time there is a group of cozy mystery writers in attendance. This time the writers are not involved in the trouble. The owner of a local eatery, Dee Dee, has been a pain the Cat and Shauna’s side. Shortly after Cat's visits Dee Dee asking for a truce, a body is found in Dee Dee’s eatery. Even though the murder is not connected to Cat or her retreat she can’t help but get involved in the investigation.

This book can be enjoyed as a stand-alone mystery but the back story of characters can be better understood when reading the series in order. The characters are great and have grown so much over the series. My favorite would have to be Cat, she is an interesting and complexed character. I love the fact that this retreat the writers are from the cozy genre, my favorite genre. I really love the idea of the setting of the writers' retreat, while reading this series I wish I was a writer and could attend the retreat. The mystery has a great pace and several twists and turns to keep the reader guessing until the big reveal.

I voluntarily agreed to read a copy of this book supplied by Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own and in no way have been influenced.

[Gloria · Rating 5 out of 5]

It would be fun to attend a writers' retreat at Cat Latimer's home for food, fun and friendship. Her Warm Springs Writers' Retreat is set in her lovely old Victorian home in Aspen Hills, Colorado, with tons of great food for breakfast and snacks in a great setting with a local college campus and library to use for research. Her friend, Shauna, is the great cook, housekeeper and manager and her boyfriend, Seth, is always around the week of the retreat to carpool guests to and from the airport, do handyman tasks and be a designated driver on the final night out for dinner. Uncle Pete is the local police chief and tries to keep Cat out of trouble but is not always successful. This week a well known chef is found dead in the local bakery and unwittingly (sort of?), Cat, is drawn into the investigation. The bakery owner, Dee Dee, has it out for Shauna, claiming she stole her recipes. Dee Dee says she has an alibi for the time of the murder. An old friend of Cat's and sister-in-law of the victim is accused of the crime. Apparently, the chef had a few enemies, however, so Cat has sleuthing to do.
This is another fun retreat week with a great group of aspiring authors who Cat and crew enjoying getting to know. It wouldn't be retreat week without a murder to solve.
I received a complimentary ARC from Kensington Books through NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine only.

[Barbara Sousa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another winning series from author Lynn Cahoon! Having enjoyed both Ms. Cahoon’s Tourist Trap and Farm-to-Fork mysteries series, I was eager to sample her Cat Latimer books. “Sconed to Death” is the fifth book – and the first book I have read – in the series. Because of what seems to be a complicated back story, it is definitely beneficial to have read the first four books of this series before embarking on this one. That said, I thoroughly enjoyed the book and have every intention of going back and reading the series from the beginning.

Cat Latimer is hosting a writers’ retreat for cozy mystery authors at her B&B in Aspen Hills, Colorado. A writer herself, Cat has a unique connection with the retreat participants. As the story opens, Dee Dee Meyer, who runs the local bakery, accuses Shauna (Cat’s best friend who also cooks for the retreat) of stealing her recipes, and, in retaliation files a false complaint against the B&B with the health inspector. Amid this drama, a famous chef (who had been trying to open a restaurant in the town) is found dead in the bakery. The mystery, as they say, is afoot, and Cat – despite her police-chief uncle’s admonition to stay out of it – proceeds to investigate. Two interrelated subplots, one involving a long-ago friend of Cat’s and the other involving the writers’ retreat participants complicate matters further.

Both Cat and Shauna are strong characters, with individual, yet complementary skills. Cat’s boyfriend, Seth, aids, not only with the B&B, but also in the sleuthing. The description of the writers’ retreat is fascinating, as is the discussion of the various publishing options available to writers. The mystery, itself, is intriguing with a variety of suspects, each with his or her own motive for murder. The only thing to give me pause was a reference to Cat’s writing as “witch stories,” which seems at odds with the her straight-forward personality.

All-in-all, “Sconed to Death” exemplifies what a cozy mystery should be – an intriguing puzzle coupled with charming and relatable characters. I look forward to more adventures with Cat and her friends.

Note: I received an ARC of “Sconed to Death” from NetGalley and Kensington Books. The above is my honest review.

[Katreader · Rating 4 out of 5]

SCONED TO DEATH by Lynn Cahoon
The Fifth Cat Latimer Mystery

Local baker Dee Dee Meyer decides to make life difficult for the writer's retreat calling in supposed health violations after threatening Shauna and accusing her of stealing her scone recipe. But Dee Dee has troubles of her own when a famous chef from Denver is found murdered in her bakery. While Cat hosts a group of cozy mystery writers from Chicago she quietly starts to look into the life of the recently killed chef. What was he doing in Aspen Hills? Who wanted him dead? The girlfriend he recently left? His sister-in-law, a former friend of Cat's who rumor has it was sleeping with him? Cat quietly tries to put the puzzle together as she runs her latest retreat, helping her guests with more than just writers' tips.

Jealousy plays a major role in the fifth Cat Latimer Mystery. Jealousy finds its way out of hurt, control, revenge, and low self esteem by various characters, some not even seen on the page. While jealousy may be the motivating emotion here, it's be no means the only one. It's the realistic depiction of emotions that makes SCONED TO DEATH so moving. I love the fact that Cat gets angry and that she broadcasts it, even when trying, at times, to be discreet! We get to see Shauna slowly coming to terms with her grief. Life is good, but certainly not perfect for these women and the book is not afraid to show it.

I was absolutely loving this book, until I came across a major pet peeve. In an exciting penultimate scene the killer's eyes are described as being "bright with madness". I wish that authors would remember that killing people does not make a person insane. There may have been some delusional behavior with this particular killer, but there's enough of a stigma with mental illness without adding to it by having madness in the murderer's eyes.

SCONED TO DEATH is a well plotted character driven mystery. Interesting subplots enhance the story along with a subtle message about domestic violence. You are not alone and there is help.

FTC Disclosure – The publisher sent me a digital ARC provided through NetGalley, in the hopes I would review it.

[K.A. Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

SCONED TO DEATH is the fifth book in the Cat Latimer Mystery series by Lynn Cahoon. While I haven’t had the chance to read the entire series, I found it easy to pick up and read this book as a standalone. The author gives just enough backstory so the reader will feel like they know the characters and can relate to the situations facing the protagonist, Cat Latimer. Cat runs a writers’ retreat in Aspen Hills, Colorado. Ms. Cahoon has created a cozy vibe for both the town and for her large Victorian home turned retreat. Her setting is so inviting I wish I could find something similar to visit! I greatly enjoyed her portrayal of the interaction of the mystery authors attending the retreat along with their writing practices. It gives a peek at what authors face when creating material on a regular basis. Cat’s two supporting characters, boyfriend Seth and best friend and chef, Shauna, are well-developed and add to the cohesive feel of running the retreat. In fact, Cat couldn’t do it without the two and I’m glad that the protagonist acknowledges their importance.

The murder that takes place is a bit different than other scenarios that generally happen in cozy mysteries, in that Cat doesn’t have any personal interaction with the victim before finding the body. I felt a bit dis-associated from the crime and the reasons Cat felt she needed to investigate. Despite that, Ms. Cahoon writes an entertaining story that provides several hours of enjoyment. She weaves the lives of her memorable characters into finding truth and justice for the victim. With an exciting reveal, the author wraps up the threads of the story into a satisfying conclusion.

Cooking and baking for the writers’ retreat, Shauna creates all sorts of tempting treats in her kitchen to keep the writers’ energy up and creative muses flowing. From breakfast and snacks to late night movie treats, Shauna has the perfect solution. Ms. Cahoon has provided a scone recipe at the back of the book.

I was provided an advance copy via Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Meg · Rating 5 out of 5]

As I make my way through this series, I always look forward to the adventures at the Warm Springs Writers Retreat. Cat, and her best friend Shauna, manage an old Victorian that has been remolded as the perfect getaway for writers to concentrate on their work in progress in a relaxed setting. Aspen, Colorado, the location of Covington College, is the perfect fall escape. Cat assists the writers by offering access to the college library as well as bringing in speakers, and coaching the writers. Shauna, oversees the kitchen providing a scrumptious breakfast as well as, mouthwatering treats available throughout the day. Right before the guests arrive, a local bakery shop owner Dee Dee, bursts in and accuses Shauna of stealing her recipes. Although Shauna denies it, Dee Dee is determined to cause trouble, and jeopardize the retreat. When a celebrity chef is found murdered in Dee Dee’s bakery, Cat takes it upon herself to find the chef’s killer.

I enjoyed the descriptive narration of the town, the surrounding area, and meeting the retreat guests. Each character adds to the plot which is well developed. With Cat being a retired professor and author herself, she understands the authors and is able to help them progress on their work. Family dynamics come into play as Cat, and her Uncle Pete use their skills in solving crime. Uncle Pete would rather Cat stay out of the case, but Cat, along with her boyfriend Seth, and Shauna, being to unravel the clues to the murder. A great novel showing the support of friends in times of need. Ms. Cahoon is excellent at bringing the story to life, and making you feel you are apart of the mystery.

[Hilary (A Wytch's Book Review) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Lynn Cahoon has pulled all the stops out to give us a story that keeps you glued to the action from pretty much the first page until the last!

The latest monthly Writer's Retreat is about to start when a local baker, Dee Dee, comes storming into the kitchen accusing Shauna of stealing her recipes, as if that isn't bad enough on the first full morning the health inspector shows up as there has been a complaint! It appears that Dee Dee is determined to ruin Shauna and she left the "anonymous" tip, unsurprisingly there are no problems in the kitchen, the same cannot be said about the retreat, one of the writer's seems to have brought a raft of problems with her, mainly to do with her boyfriend (who seems to be a control freak of the first order), then there is a murder, a chef is found in the bakery with his head bashed in and Cat's Uncle Pete has his hands full trying to solve that.

Although Cat tries to stay out of it with Shauna and Seth being interviewed and then the victim's sister in law claiming SHE wrote Cat's first successful novel, Cat ends up looking into things (and building bridges with the Librarian at the same time), shall we just say it is lucky for one person that she does keep digging - read the book and find out who .... and why!

[Susan Johnston · Rating 4 out of 5]

Princess Fuzzypants here: Cat’s writer’s retreats are a rousing success. The business is growing as is the body count. This time it is a local resident whose body is found in the bakery of the woman determined to undermine Cat’s friend and cohort Sheila. Cat’s guests bring along intriguing complications too including an abused woman who seems incapable of breaking free of an overreaching boyfriend.
This has been a good series from the beginning. Cat, the successful author of a young adult series, has had to deal with the dead of her ex-husband and his dealings with some shady individuals who have turned out to be decent. All the characters have had their ups and downs and it has helped build the character development that is essential for a series to have “legs”. This time she must also deal with a former friend who has been suggesting she helped Cat write her first book. She may also be involved in the murder.
There were lots of twists and turns so that the reader is never quite sure who the killer might be. I like the way I was certain it was the real villain only to be persuaded elsewhere. It only ramps up the fun and the excitement.
Four purrs and two paws up.

[Tracy Condie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story and an excellent idea for a vacation for potential authors! Makes me want to take a writing class and follow up with a writers retreat, but only if the owners are providing the kind of food and service that Cat and Shauna did in this story. I came to this party late so to speak so I was not familiar with the back story on either Cat or Shauna but was able to catch on fairly quickly. The relationship between Cat and her Uncle Pete the police officer was perfect. You just can't stop these main characters from doing what they feel they must to solve a puzzle. There were also some pearls of wisdom about over bearing significant others and speaking up for yourself as well as how many different ways a person can cook an apple. I REALLY would like access to the recipes that Shauna was using. I had an inkling of an idea as to who did it but wasn't sure until the reveal. Excellent read as usual and thank you to NetGalley for providing me this book in exchange for my unbiased opinion.