Tourist Trap Mystery

In this delightful prequel to the beloved “Tourist Trap” mystery series, lawyer Jill Gardner flees job burnout to take a vacation and finds a brand-new life on the California coast. Jill's family law career is in a rut. Watching a client go back to her abusive husband, yet again, and then learning she's been passed up for a partnership, yet again, finally prompts her to take a break. She'll have to dip into her emergency fund. But after all those long days in her windowless office, subsisting on leftover cake from the breakroom, it's time to smell some flowers. When she arrives in picturesque South Cove on the Pacific coast, she finds friendly residents, a peaceful beach, and nature's beauty. But she also witnesses a shouting match between two business owners with a big score to settle. And when someone she knows turns up dead in the local coffee shop, she finds the town needs her skills, just as much as she needs the town. It's time to set her roots where they belong...

In the gentle coastal town of South Cove, California, all Jill Gardner wants is to keep her store--Coffee, Books, and More--open and running. So why is she caught up in the business of murder? When Jill's elderly friend, Miss Emily, calls in a fit of pique, she already knows the city council is trying to force Emily to sell her dilapidated old house. But Emily's gumption goes for naught when she dies unexpectedly and leaves the house to Jill--along with all of her problems. . .and her enemies. Convinced her friend was murdered, Jill is finding the list of suspects longer than the list of repairs needed on the house. But Jill is determined to uncover the culprit--especially if it gets her closer to South Cove's finest, Detective Greg King. Problem is, the killer knows she's on the case--and is determined to close the book on Jill permanently. . .

In the California coastal town of South Cove, history is one of its many tourist attractions-until it becomes deadly... Jill Gardner, proprietor of Coffee, Books, and More, has discovered that the old stone wall on her property might be a centuries-old mission worthy of being declared a landmark. But Craig Morgan, the obnoxious owner of South Cove's most popular tourist spot, The Castle, makes it his business to contest her claim. When Morgan is found murdered at The Castle shortly after a heated argument with Jill, even her detective boyfriend has to ask her for an alibi. Jill decides she must find the real murderer to clear her name. But when the killer comes for her, she'll need to jump from historic preservation to self-preservation...

The tourist town of South Cove, California, is a lovely place to spend the holidays. But this year, shop owner Jill Gardner discovers there's no place like home for homicide. . . As owner of Coffee, Books, and More, Jill Gardner looks forward to the hustle and bustle of holiday shoppers. But when the mayor ropes her into being liasion for a new work program, 'tis the season to be wary. Local businesses are afraid the interns will be delinquents, punks, or worse. For Jill, nothing's worse than Ted Hendricks-the jerk who runs the program. After a few run-ins, Jill's ready to kill the guy. That, however, turns out to be unnecessary when she finds Ted in his car-dead as a doornail. Detective Greg King assumes it's a suicide. Jill thinks it's murder. And if the holidays weren't stressful enough, a spoiled blonde wants to sue the city for breaking her heel. Jill has to act fast to solve this mess-before the other shoe drops. . .

Jill Gardner-owner of Coffee, Books, and More in the tucked-away town of South Cove, California-is not particularly thrilled to be portraying a twenties flapper for the dinner theater murder mystery. Though it is for charity… Of course everyone is expecting a "dead" body at the dress rehearsal…but this one isn't acting! It turns out the main suspect is the late actor's conniving girlfriend Sherry…who also happens to be the ex-wife of Jill's main squeeze. Sherry is definitely a master manipulator…but is she a killer? Jill may discover the truth only when the curtain comes up on the final act…and by then, it may be far too late.

As sunny South Cove, California, gears up for their annual Fourth of July celebrations, a local murder threatens to kill the fireworks . . . South Cove's local businesses are up in arms after volunteer fire chief Barry Gleason threatens to shut down anyone who doesn't comply with the fire code. But when Barry schedules a training burn in an old abandoned barn, he is the only one who doesn't come out alive. Jill Gardner-owner of Coffee, Books, and More-smells murder in the ashes. She'll have to work quickly to nab a killer with a short fuse-or else everyone's holiday will end with a fizzle . . .

Jill Gardner-owner of Coffee, Books, and More-has somehow been talked into sponsoring a 5k race along the beautiful California coast. The race is a fundraiser for the local preservation society-but not everyone is feeling so charitable… The day of the race, everyone hits the ground running…until a local business owner stumbles over a very stationary body. The deceased is the vicious wife of the husband-and-wife team hired to promote the event-and the husband turns to Jill for help in clearing his name. But did he do it? Jill will have to be very careful, because this killer is ready to put her out of the running…forever!

As Halloween approaches South Cove, California, four couples get into the spirit of the holiday by conjuring up spirits. . . The house has sat empty for fifteen years, taking up prime real estate along the picturesque coastline. Built by one of the founders of South Cove, its last known owner, Maryanne Demerit, vanished without a trace. Now her home will be demolished for a condo development, but until then, it's the perfect spot for a Halloween haunted house. Jill Gardner, owner of Coffee, Books, and More, her boyfriend, and three other couples are spending the weekend in the Demerit home. But what begins as an all-in-good-fun fright fest turns into a mystery begging to be solved as Jill is contacted by the ghost of Maryanne . . .

'Twas the season of Christmas, and all through South Cove, California, Santa is working overtime to deliver a special gift . . . Jill Gardner has volunteered her Coffee, Books, and More to host a Christmas adopt-a-pet party. Among the potential forever friends is a male terrier named Baby, whose owner died of a heart attack. With few clues to go on, even finding the name of Baby's human is a daunting task. But there's no challenge too big for Jill this holiday season. Playing Santa's Little Helper, Jill is determined to find out what happened -and to fulfill a long-time coming Christmas wish . . .

The food truck craze has reached the charming coastal town of South Cove, California, but before Jill Gardner-owner of Coffee, Books, and More-can sample the eats, she has to shift gears and put the brakes on a killer . . . Now that Kacey Austin has got her new gluten-free dessert truck up and running, there's no curbing her enthusiasm-not even when someone vandalizes the vehicle and steals her recipes. But when Kacey turns up dead on the beach and Jill's best friend Sadie becomes the prime suspect, Jill needs to step on it to serve the real killer some just desserts.

South Cove, California, is celebrating St. Patrick's Day-and there's going to be a parade of suspects . . . Jill Gardner's store, Coffee, Books, and More, is raking in the green as her little coastal town holds a big festival for St. Patrick's Day. But the locals aren't exactly feeling the luck of the Irish, thanks to the rowdy behavior of some of the tourists who are pouring in. Then a woman who just visited Jill's shop is found dead near the shore. The fireworks display on the beach may have already happened, but the real fireworks have just begun . . .

Picturesque South Cove, California, is the perfect place to celebrate Mother's Day, but not everyone is feeling motherly . . . Jill Gardner, owner of Coffee, Books, and More is almost out of Mother's Day cards. She has a few more in stock, but she's set them aside because she needs Greg's help choosing one for his mother. It'll be Jill's first time meeting her boyfriend's mother, and she's understandably nervous. Turns out Jill isn't the only one having feelings about mothers. Kyle, who works at the antiques store next door, needs to find the perfect card for a mother he hasn't seen since he was five-when she went away to jail. But her arrival in South Cove isn't exactly celebratory, her behavior toward her son unexpectedly restrained. Piqued, Jill discovers that a mother can never be replaced . . .

The quaint coastal town of South Cove, California, is all abuzz about the opening of a new specialty shop, Tea Hee. But as Coffee, Books, and More owner Jill Gardner is about to find out, there's nothing cozy about murder... Shop owner Kathi Corbin says she came to South Cove to get away from her estranged family. But is she telling the truth? And did a sinister someone from her past follow her to South Cove? When a woman claiming to be Kathi's sister starts making waves and a dead body is found in a local motel, Jill must step in to clear Kathi's name--without getting herself in hot water.

Jill Gardner has left her book-and-coffee shop behind to spend Thanksgiving week in coastal Oregon with her cop boyfriend, her golden retriever Emma, and a crowd of friends and family. But before the feast can start, foul play interrupts their vacation . . . The rented house was supposed to be a relaxing getaway. But Jill and her companions feel a sense of danger instead. First, they learn that their hosts' son had a fiancée, but her disappearance remains unexplained-and then they meet some menacing members of a local trail-riding club. When one of Jill and Greg's friends finds human remains amid the dunes-with a diamond ring around one mummified finger-things start heating up fast, and they'll be thankful just to survive through the long weekend . . .

A visit to the serene coastal town of South Cove, California, could make anybody feel refreshed and inspired. But as Jill Gardner-owner of Coffee, Books, and More-discovers, some folks won't live to tell about it... Mystery author Nathan Pike checked into South Cove Bed & Breakfast to compose a compelling novel, not commit murder. But things get real when a rival B&B owner ends up exactly like the victim in his draft-undeniably dead. As Nathan prepares to complete his magnum opus behind bars, Jill's the only one who can prove his innocence and deconstruct the plot of a twisted killer!

For a gang of old college buddies, the quaint resort town of South Cove, California, is the perfect spot for a no-holds-barred bachelor party. But for Jill Gardner-owner of Coffee, Books and More-this stag party is going to be murder . . . After a few months of living with her boyfriend Greg, Jill is still getting used to sharing such close quarters, but she's got no hesitation about joining him for a weekend at South Cove's most luxurious resort. While Greg and his college pals celebrate their buddy's upcoming wedding, Jill intends to pamper herself in style. But when the groom is found floating facedown in the pool, Jill must find the killer fast, or she might not have a boyfriend to come home to any more . . .

It's October in South Cove, California, and the locals in the quaint resort seem to be happily pairing off in the lull before the holidays. Everyone, that is, except for Jill Gardner's elderly aunt, who just dumped her besotted fiancé-and she won't say why. When Jill hosts a talk at Coffee, Books, and More on the topic of elder abuse, all that's really on her mind is lunch. But the topic hits close to home when she discovers Aunt Jackie has been getting mysterious calls. Jill's certain the caller is a con artist, of course, but her feisty aunt claims to understand this, though she's still shaken-and Harrold's still heartbroken. Who's behind the scam and why was her aunt targeted? When a volunteer from the Senior Project is found murdered, Jill's detective boyfriend is on the case-and it soon becomes clear no one is safe when a caller from beyond becomes a killer in their midst.

In the latest Tourist Trap mystery from New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, Lynn Cahoon, bookshop café owner Jill Gardner contends with a best friend-turned-bridezilla while trying to solve a local historian's untimely date with death... At Coffee, Books, & More, Jill's the boss. But as Amy's maid-of-honor, she can barely keep up with marching orders--and now she's in charge of organizing an epic bachelorette! Adding to Jill's party-planning panic, the South Cove Heritage Society just unceremoniously dumped her historic landmark bid. While vying proposals rush in from a loaded land developer and a pushy travel guide company, Jill finds an unexpected ally in Heritage Society expert, Frank Gleason. But their happy union is cut short when Frank is mowed down in a suspicious hit-and-run. With Amy's big day on the horizon, Jill vows to catch the killer before she has to catch a bouquet.

In the new Tourist Trap mystery from the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, a new art studio has opened in the coastal California town of South Cove-but it's about to turn into a crime scene ... As the owner of Coffee, Books, and More, Jill Gardner likes to support other Main Street businesses, so she attends a paint-and-sip event where, sadly, her brushstrokes look more like blobs. It's still fun, though-aside from some disruption by a couple doing more sipping than painting. Jill's police-detective boyfriend is on alert, but a designated driver volunteers to take the drunken pair back to their bed and breakfast, and everything seems resolved. Until the wife's body turns up the next morning back in the studio. The victim, Nan, is from out of town, so it's hard to imagine who'd have a motive aside from her spouse. Now, in between puzzling over her fortuneteller neighbor's strange behavior, preparing for her best friend's wedding, and pouring cups of java at the bookstore, Jill must uncover the secrets of Nan's life and find out who wanted her out of the picture ...

In the California coastal town of South Cove, Jill Gardner, owner of Coffee, Books, and More, becomes more engaged in sleuthing than wedding preparations when there's a murder in a dress shop... Jill couldn't love police chief Greg King more-so why does that engagement ring still feel funny on her finger? At least she'll have a chance to show it off this Saturday at their engagement party. Just in time for the event, a new dress shop has opened in town, Exquisite Gowns for You, specializing in designer wedding gowns and other custom-fit dresses. But Jill's excitement turns to shock when she comes by to pick up her dress for the party and discovers a dead body in the shop. New owner Harper Sanchez is behaving strangely and becoming more mysterious than anyone expected. Despite Greg's warnings to leave the case to him, Jill can't help looking into the murder. Somebody in South Cove is dressed to kill-and if Jill's not careful, she may not live to wear her wedding gown...

Fans of female sleuth cozies will delight in New York Times bestselling author Lynn Cahoon's latest installment in her long-running Tourist Trap Mystery series. In the California coastal town of South Cove, Jill Gardner, owner of Coffee, Books, and More, discovers that wedding planning can be murder... Hustling her fiancé off to a neighboring tourist town might be the only way Jill Gardner can plan her nuptials to South Cove's in-demand police detective. But when a mystery man turns up dead at South Cove's PD, Greg is hightailing it back home to investigate, leaving Jill to finish the vacation solo. Jill can barely get in a spa day before her own respite is spoiled by a greedy hotel guest and unexpected revelations about Max Winter, the developer conniving to buy her home out from under her. Then there's the staffing issues at the store, the strange men seen lurking about town, and an aggressive and obnoxious family member harassing Jill's beloved employee. It's enough to make the bride-to-be full of jitters...especially when she finds herself in the crosshairs of a killer...

Fans of female sleuth cozies will delight in New York Times bestselling author Lynn Cahoon's latest installment in her long-running Tourist Trap Mystery series. With the Moonstone Beach Festival coming up, Jill is touching base with her fellow small business owners to make it as successful as possible. It's frustrating when Darla, the owner of South Cove Winery, is late to a big meeting, but they manage to get the discussion rolling about the kite flying event and the big Battle of the Bands-which Darla's musician boyfriend is hoping will be his big break. And Jill, of course, will be there with her food truck, hoping for a financial boost after a slow spring. But amid the fun in the California sun, someone will soon be planning a funeral instead of a festival-and Jill and her detective fiancé will have to find out who ruined the Moonstone Beach mood with murder . . . Praise for Lynn Cahoon and the Tourist Trap Mysteries "I love the author's style, which was warm and friendly . . . {A} wonderfully appealing series." -Dru's Book Musings "Lynn Cahoon's popular Tourist Trap series is . . . one of my go-to cozy mystery series!" -Hope By the Book

In the coastal town of South Cove, June is tourist season, and wedding season. Unfortunately, Jill Gardner's own wedding has been delayed. But that just gives her more time to search for a missing bride, and a killer... Things are looking up for the owner of Coffee, Books, and More-Jill's finally getting her MBA, and though her wedding to police detective Greg is postponed a few months, she still has plenty to celebrate. A girls' weekend in Santa Barbara is just the ticket. But back in South Cove, someone else's big day has become a big problem. Antiques dealer Josh Thomas and Mandy Jensen were planning a small private ceremony under an olive tree on the historic Jensen farm, until Mandy went missing... Is this a case of a runaway bride-or a guilty groom? Greg zeroes in on Josh but finds him so annoying that he quietly asks Jill's help in keeping his number-one suspect distracted. She knows that Josh is searching for something else besides his fiancée, a bank robber's buried gold bullion. And when the professor he'd been discussing it with turns up dead, she can't help wondering if what looked like cold feet was actually cold-blooded murder...

Fans of female sleuth cozies will delight in New York Times bestselling author Lynn Cahoon's latest installment in her long-running Tourist Trap Mystery series. 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 . . . Praise for Lynn Cahoon and the Tourist Trap Mysteries "I love the author's style, which was warm and friendly . . . [A] wonderfully appealing series." -Dru's Book Musings "Lynn Cahoon's popular Tourist Trap series is . . . one of my go-to cozy mystery series!" -Hope By the Book

Jill Gardner, owner of Coffee, Books, and More, knows better than anyone that Sunny South Cove, California, is the picture-perfect place to spend the holidays-solving murders ... ROCKETS' DEAD GLARE. When the local volunteer fire chief is found buried in ashes, Jill will have to work quickly to nab a killer with a short fuse-or else everyone's Fourth of July will end with a fizzle ... A DEADLY BREW. Jill and her friends gather for an overnight Halloween fright fest in an abandoned house. Sounds like fun until a ghost makes contact with Jill IRL. SANTA PUPPY. Jill Gardner has volunteered to host a Christmas adopt-a-pet party at Coffee, Books, and More. But when a dog owner mysteriously dies, it's up Jill to play Santa's Little Crime Solver ...