This is one of the most “modern” Cozies I’ve covered for this series, and it’s definitely easy to see the modern Cozy influences. The sleuth, Jill Gardner, is a former lawyer from the big city who decided she needed a change of pace when her marriage and career had both hit low points – the marriage ended, the career stalled in a job she didn’t enjoy. Naturally (for a Cozy at least!) she decided to take this opportunity to follow up her long-running dream of opening a coffeeshop/bookshop in the small town of South Cove, California.
Unfortunately, where a new career goes, murder is sure to follow in a Cozy. In this case, the unfortunate victim is Jill’s elderly friend, Miss Emily, the woman who had originally convinced her to move down to South Cove. Miss Emily didn’t particularly care for her few living relatives, and as a result the death leaves her entire estate in Jill’s hands – much to the consternation of not only the jilted next of kin, but also a potential illegitimate descendant, a sleazy real estate developer, and the town’s unpleasant mayor, all of whom want Miss Emily’s house for its lucrative location. Fortunately, hunky local cop Greg is there for Jill as she endures first threats, then inevitable assaults and attempts on her life. And that’s not mentioning another of Jill’s friends going missing, a load of potentially valuable artwork in the barn, or the possibility of missing Spanish gold!
Though many of the elements of the novel are relatively common in modern Cozies, it’s definitely worth noting that Cahoon’s writing definitely elevates the book above many of the other novels with otherwise very similar themes that you might already have read. One specific element that definitely requires consideration is the romance element – for some readers this might be a plus, for others a negative, but it’s definitely more prominent than in many other similar series this early in. Either way, this is a very solid beginning to a conventional Cozy Mystery series with a lot of enjoyable modern trappings.
If you’re interested in seeing more highlights of some of the most recommended or popular Cozy Mystery authors/series, visit the Most Popular & Recommended Cozy Mystery Series page on my site.
Janice G says
I started reading this series when it first came out and have enjoyed every book in the series. The recent releases have all been novellas but they are still good and the price is right. I hope that there might be more full length books in the future. Lynn Cahoon’s Farm to Table series is also quite interesting.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Janice, I haven’t gotten to the novellas yet! That actually sounds quite refreshing – I think that many Cozies these days are perhaps a bit too long. A shorter, more “to the point” mystery would be appreciated once in a while.
E. E ans says
Great reading!!!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
E, I agree!
Bek says
I think I’ll have to add this one to my list…at least on the “Try It” list. Not exactly one of “my” sub-genres, but it does sound very interesting!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Bek, I would definitely say it’s worth giving a shot, though that might depend on how many “must reads” you have at the moment – probably a lot!
Bek says
Ummmmm…about 1200 on that list as of now, or some 4.5 years of reading.
Kimberley Cornwell says
I absolutely love this series. A huge plus for me is that Cahoon introduces some diversity in this series! A happy surprise. I find Jill a wonderful, human protagonist and Aunt Jackie is a hoot! I like romance in my cozies and this happily fulfills that need.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Kimberley, I definitely agree that it’s always good to see more diversity in Cozies.
Rita I says
I really enjoy the farm to table series, so I am going to give this series a go. I like the idea of the novellas. I can read on my lunch hour for a relaxing break.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Rita, I hope you enjoy them!
Penny says
I absolutely love her books. Would recommend them to anyone.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Penny, thanks for the recommendation!
Hanna says
Just finished reading it after your post in the August recommendations. She has a nice style that keep the papers turning (or the screen moving; I read it an an e-Book). Interesting that this is the third series that I have recently read where the heroine lives above her store, at least, until she got Miss Emily’s house. Hope the romance aspect will cool in the next book. Too much, for my taste, details of her desire to grab the detective who may or may not be married..
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Hanna, yes, that particular element did end up feeling a bit much. It isn’t my favorite part of Cozies to begin with, either.
Jennifer says
Your introduction to popular cozy mysteries is a wonderful idea! And a goldmine for readers (like me) who are relatively new to the genre and don’t know where to start. Thank you!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Jennifer, you’re welcome! I’m glad that these sorts of posts are helpful.
Mrs. Ainee C. Beland says
I found out about author Lynn Cahoon through this newsletter and I finished reading her Notebook Guide to Murder and found it to be very enjoyable. It was a cozy read for me and I liked Miss Emily and her friendship with the main character Jill. I did not like how her son and his wife tried to take the house that Jill inherited away from her; the art collection found in the barn our outhouse; It seems that Miss Emily was rich beyond the town’s dream and she left it all to Jill. Her kindness, in the end, to provide for the child’s education even though she was not kin of Miss Emily was nice of Jill. I am sorry about how this read, but it was a good beginning/intro to this author for me to someday read more of her books. Thank you for sharing.