Author: Lynn Cahoon
Published: February 4, 2025, by Kensington
Format: Kindle, 208 Pages
Genre: Amateur Sleuth
Series: A Tourist Trap Mystery #17
Blurb: Jill’s wedding to police chief Greg King is just days away, at a historic Spanish mission with a courtyard full of olive trees. But the folks in South Cove are more intrigued by what kind of ceremonies might be going on behind the walls of New Hope, the walled property where charismatic Kane Matthews and his followers reside. Jill isn’t fond of the man, but his followers seem nice, and they buy a lot of books.
After a distraught woman stops by at Coffee, Books, and More with a picture of her daughter, who she believes needs rescuing from the suspected cult—and then Matthews’s body is found, at Jill’s wedding venue of all places—Jill makes a commitment to solve the case. With Greg’s mother as a houseguest, she must play hostess to her future in-law while pursuing a murderous outlaw.
My Opinion: Seventeen books in, and South Cove still reminds me of Cambria, with its breezy beach-town vibe and charming streets lined with shops, and if I didn’t love Cambria as much as I do, I might’ve stepped off this ride a few books ago. The subtle nods to Hearst Castle and the wildlife that once roamed its grounds aren’t just clever Easter eggs as to where Cahoon gets her inspiration; they anchor the story in a place that feels familiar and comforting. It is that sense of place which keeps me coming back, even when the series starts to drift.
Jill and Greg are finally getting married. The ceremony has been postponed so many times that readers might be forgiven for wondering if it’ll ever happen. Greg’s sudden moodiness and flashbacks to his previous marriage cast a shadow over what should be a celebratory lead-up.
Meanwhile, a new cult has settled into town, and with it comes a desperate mother searching for her missing daughter, presumed to be under the cult’s control. Jill’s instincts start to tingle, but she’s determined to stay focused on her wedding. Of course, longtime readers know that Jill doesn’t exactly do “stay focused.” Her sleuthing side inevitably takes over, even with vows looming and danger in the shadows.
The mystery setup has potential, but the execution feels scattered. The identity of the eventual murder victim is telegraphed early, and while the journey to the reveal offers a few twists, it’s more of a meander than a sprint. There’s even a ghost haunting the wedding venue which adds a quirky distraction, though it never quite lands.
Unfortunately, continuity issues abound. This wasn’t an ARC, so I was surprised by the number of inconsistencies that slipped through. The book leans heavily into food and wedding chatter, sidelining the bookshop and, oddly enough, the murder itself. Jill “blacks out” during the ceremony, so readers don’t even get the payoff of the wedding they’ve been waiting for. And as the story progresses, it feels like Cahoon loses grip on both the mystery and the emotional arc. The pacing stumbles, the tone shifts, and the narrative starts to feel like a rather than a cohesive whole.
The ending rushes through the resolution, with more attention paid to restaurant menus than motive. If this is meant to be a cozy mystery, the balance is off; readers need more sleuthing and less small talk about French fries.
That said, Cahoon still delivers a few genuinely funny lines, and the book is an easy, breezy read. But it’s time to ask whether this series still has fresh ground to cover. Either tighten the focus or consider giving Jill and Greg a well-earned retirement. Because while Cambria might be timeless, even the most charming coastal town can’t carry a story that’s lost its spark.
After a distraught woman stops by at Coffee, Books, and More with a picture of her daughter, who she believes needs rescuing from the suspected cult—and then Matthews’s body is found, at Jill’s wedding venue of all places—Jill makes a commitment to solve the case. With Greg’s mother as a houseguest, she must play hostess to her future in-law while pursuing a murderous outlaw.
My Opinion: Seventeen books in, and South Cove still reminds me of Cambria, with its breezy beach-town vibe and charming streets lined with shops, and if I didn’t love Cambria as much as I do, I might’ve stepped off this ride a few books ago. The subtle nods to Hearst Castle and the wildlife that once roamed its grounds aren’t just clever Easter eggs as to where Cahoon gets her inspiration; they anchor the story in a place that feels familiar and comforting. It is that sense of place which keeps me coming back, even when the series starts to drift.
Jill and Greg are finally getting married. The ceremony has been postponed so many times that readers might be forgiven for wondering if it’ll ever happen. Greg’s sudden moodiness and flashbacks to his previous marriage cast a shadow over what should be a celebratory lead-up.
Meanwhile, a new cult has settled into town, and with it comes a desperate mother searching for her missing daughter, presumed to be under the cult’s control. Jill’s instincts start to tingle, but she’s determined to stay focused on her wedding. Of course, longtime readers know that Jill doesn’t exactly do “stay focused.” Her sleuthing side inevitably takes over, even with vows looming and danger in the shadows.
The mystery setup has potential, but the execution feels scattered. The identity of the eventual murder victim is telegraphed early, and while the journey to the reveal offers a few twists, it’s more of a meander than a sprint. There’s even a ghost haunting the wedding venue which adds a quirky distraction, though it never quite lands.
Unfortunately, continuity issues abound. This wasn’t an ARC, so I was surprised by the number of inconsistencies that slipped through. The book leans heavily into food and wedding chatter, sidelining the bookshop and, oddly enough, the murder itself. Jill “blacks out” during the ceremony, so readers don’t even get the payoff of the wedding they’ve been waiting for. And as the story progresses, it feels like Cahoon loses grip on both the mystery and the emotional arc. The pacing stumbles, the tone shifts, and the narrative starts to feel like a rather than a cohesive whole.
The ending rushes through the resolution, with more attention paid to restaurant menus than motive. If this is meant to be a cozy mystery, the balance is off; readers need more sleuthing and less small talk about French fries.
That said, Cahoon still delivers a few genuinely funny lines, and the book is an easy, breezy read. But it’s time to ask whether this series still has fresh ground to cover. Either tighten the focus or consider giving Jill and Greg a well-earned retirement. Because while Cambria might be timeless, even the most charming coastal town can’t carry a story that’s lost its spark.
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