3.75 stars

I’m fast approaching the last book in the series that has been released so far. But luckily I see today here on Goodreads that another book in the series will be released late next month. That’s a great thing because I’m really enjoying this series. The main reason is that it’s a book about books more specifically a book about authors, and what the series started with it continues to deliver. I hate it when a series starts for example as a bookstore owner and later books in the series really don’t have anything to do with the bookstore. I mean the reason I picked up the series is because I wanted to read about a bookstore owner, I feel cheated.

That’s the great thing about this series apart from likable to lovable characters, good mysteries and good writing, each book talks about the authors retreat and about writing. ( )

Cat is having another writers’ retreat, and everyone decides to visit a ghost town for tourists. The retreat is going well, until one of the college girls who worked at the ghost town is murdered. It’s unclear if she was the intended victim, or if her roommate was really the intended victim. Since this roommate is one of the writers at the retreat, Cat feels compelled to help solve the case. Things are never as simple as they seem at first, and the case gets really complicated when another attempt is made. Throw in a couple of other cases and some red herrings, and you have the makings of a top notch mystery. ( )

I've read all the previous books in this series and enjoyed them all, this one was another winner for me. This months writer resort group is a group of writer friends from CT and the Covington student Jessi, who has family ties and whose mother is friends with local mob family member Dante. Cat has decided to take the group to Outlaw, which was a ghost town that had been brought back to life as a tourist town depicting life in the late 1800s. Jessi also works in Outlaw with her roommate Danielle. When Danielle is found dead, strangled in an upstairs room at the saloon, there is speculation that Jessie was the actual target, not Danielle. Cat promised Dante she'd keep Jessi safe, and now she was worried about being able to keep that promise as a couple more attempts were made on Jessi's life. When Jessi finds out that her roommate has been stealing her jewellery and pawning it along with money missing from her bank account she becomes very worried and upset.

I enjoyed this group of writers. They all got along well, had some humorous moments and one of them was like a mother hen to Jessi, whose own mom left much to be desired in the mother/daughter relationship. Cat tries very hard to stay out of this one, but this group of retreaters wanted to snoop to help their new friend. This kept dragging Cat into the investigation whether she wanted to or not. I enjoy the recurring characters in this book. Shauna is still getting over Kevin’s death but is doing better, Cat and Seth’s relationship is moving along nicely. Uncle Pete and Shirley are handling a long distance relationship. Dante is still popping up unexpectedly. The mystery was full of twists and I found it to be very interesting the way old cases that were similar were brought to light. I did not figure out who the culprit was until just before the reveal and of course the reason made total sense. A subplot throughout the story was a project Seth was working on. A secret project. Almost every day he went out the back door and through the woods to the back of the property. I will not give any details about it, you will need to read and find out. I enjoyed this story as I said before and think all cozy readers will feel the same way. I do recommend that you read this series in order if possible to follow the exploits of the characters as well as follow their development. The publisher, Kensington Publishing Corporation, generously provided me with a copy of this book upon request. The rating, ideas and opinions shared are my own.

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The latest book retreat is for romance writers and as in the past, one of the local college writers, Jessie, is invited to take part. While visiting the local ghost town, Jesse's roommate is found murdered. But was she the intended victim or was Jessie the one who should be lying dead?
Cat Latimer feels the need to find out the answers to protect herself and her guests, Would she uncovers may put her in danger as well.

Loved the setting and characters, maybe not so much the mob guys, but definitely the mystery. ( )