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theavidreaderandbibliophile's review
4.0
Corned Beef and Casualties by Lynn Cahoon is A Tourist Trap Mystery Novella (No. 10). The town of South Cove, California is having a full day of festivities in honor of St. Patrick’s Day. Jill Gardner, owner of Coffee, Books and More is looking forward to enjoying dinner and fireworks with her friends after a day of taking care of customers. Alana McDaniel comes into the shop for coffee with a rowdy group of friends who have obviously been overindulging in alcohol as are many of the tourists. Late that night, Detective Greg King is called out to a crime scene. Jill’s customer, Alana has been found dead on the rock cliffs above the beach. Jill immediately goes into investigator mode despite Greg’s pleas to stay out of this case. She checks with local business owners to work out the victim’s timeline and discover who could have harmed Alana. Will Jill solve the crime before the killer flees town?
It is always a pleasure to visit South Cove and check in with the residents who live in this small seaside town. I like the cast of characters with their various eccentricities. Lynn Cahoon has a casual writing style that reminds me of talking with a friend. I thought Corned Beef and Casualties was well-written with a nice steady pace throughout. The mystery is uncomplicated and can easily be solved. However, it is just the right type of mystery for this length of book. Personally, I recommend reading The Tourist Trap Mystery series in order. It is the best way to get to know the characters. I have enjoyed watching Jill settle into South Cove, manage her store, get close friends and fall in love. Corned Beef and Causalities is a quick, easy to read cozy mystery novella that is a delightful distraction from reality.
It is always a pleasure to visit South Cove and check in with the residents who live in this small seaside town. I like the cast of characters with their various eccentricities. Lynn Cahoon has a casual writing style that reminds me of talking with a friend. I thought Corned Beef and Casualties was well-written with a nice steady pace throughout. The mystery is uncomplicated and can easily be solved. However, it is just the right type of mystery for this length of book. Personally, I recommend reading The Tourist Trap Mystery series in order. It is the best way to get to know the characters. I have enjoyed watching Jill settle into South Cove, manage her store, get close friends and fall in love. Corned Beef and Causalities is a quick, easy to read cozy mystery novella that is a delightful distraction from reality.
kimdavishb's review
4.0
CORNED BEEF AND CAUSALTIES is another holiday novella in the Tourist Trap Mystery series by Lynn Cahoon. While I prefer full-length books, I do adore the Tourist Trap Mysteries and the ability to visit South Cove, California even if for a short read. And I’m always drawn to St. Patrick’s Day themed stories... especially since my ancestry is Irish. Protagonist Jill Gardner, owner of Coffee, Books, and More is getting ready for the town’s first ever St. Patrick’s Day event. And what an event it turns out to be with perhaps just a little too much flowing green beer. Ms. Cahoon captures the festival’s shenanigans and celebratory spirit with fun descriptions and events.
When the sweet woman, who Jill felt a close connection to after their brief chance meeting, is found murdered on a deserted beach, she feels the need to get involved. I liked how the author has the townspeople come together to piece together the victim’s last hours on earth to help solve the mystery. Even though it is a novella, I felt the story contained all the necessary elements to make it a delightful read: good characters, a mystery to be solved, clues sprinkled around, and a satisfying conclusion.
Not only is Jill’s shop known for its coffee drinks but also for its sweet treats, especially cheesecakes. Jill’s friend, Sadie, who is the owner of Pies on the Fly, creates the desserts and comes up with a special cheesecake especially for St. Patrick’s Day. She names the cheesecake after the fun visitor who shows up at the end of the book… Gertie might be real or imagined or mystical… either way, the cheesecake inspired by her appearance embraces the epitome of St. Patrick’s Day celebrations and the author provides a recipe for it at the back of the book.
I was provided an advance copy via Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
When the sweet woman, who Jill felt a close connection to after their brief chance meeting, is found murdered on a deserted beach, she feels the need to get involved. I liked how the author has the townspeople come together to piece together the victim’s last hours on earth to help solve the mystery. Even though it is a novella, I felt the story contained all the necessary elements to make it a delightful read: good characters, a mystery to be solved, clues sprinkled around, and a satisfying conclusion.
Not only is Jill’s shop known for its coffee drinks but also for its sweet treats, especially cheesecakes. Jill’s friend, Sadie, who is the owner of Pies on the Fly, creates the desserts and comes up with a special cheesecake especially for St. Patrick’s Day. She names the cheesecake after the fun visitor who shows up at the end of the book… Gertie might be real or imagined or mystical… either way, the cheesecake inspired by her appearance embraces the epitome of St. Patrick’s Day celebrations and the author provides a recipe for it at the back of the book.
I was provided an advance copy via Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
caryambler's review
funny
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
bookhussy's review against another edition
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
cariadreads's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
kristen2193's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
marissax22's review against another edition
5.0
I relate a lot to someone who loves books, coffee, and cheesecake as much as Jill.
peggyemi's review against another edition
4.0
This is a fun, quick easy read. I enjoy returning to South Cove for these holiday novellas. This one is centered around St. Patrick's Day. Once again the town festival doesn't go as planned when a festival goer is found dead on the beach. The mystery wasn't that complicated but these are such quick reads that it works. Also, I'm a bit intrigued by where the author is headed with Jill's character. This is the second novella where she has seen and spoken to someone nobody else has seen.
I voluntarily read a digital ARC provided to me by the publisher through Netgalley.
I voluntarily read a digital ARC provided to me by the publisher through Netgalley.
karen_the_baroness's review against another edition
5.0
Who killed a sweet girl on Saint Patrick’s Day?
Corned Beef and Causalities by Lynn Cahoon is an excellent short read about the day of Saint Patrick’s Day and the day after dealing with the after-effects of what happened. Lynn Cahoon is a great author, and I love the characters in this series.
What I like:
- That it is a short read so it was an easy read.
- Jill is a great character, and I love how she solved this mystery.
- Greg is a great boyfriend and police chief/detective. He tries not to let Jill get involved, but he knows that he can’t stop her.
- The way that she uncovers the clues are neat, especially since she learns them from the other locals.
Five Star
Corned Beef and Causalities by Lynn Cahoon is a fantastic cozy mystery that is part of a great series. Jill, Greg, and friends are my new friends, and I can't wait to read more of their adventures. Jill is a fabulous character that has a beautiful personality. Greg is also a great character; he has a good relationship with Jill. I am giving it a five-star rating and recommending it to anyone that likes cozy mysteries.
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Happy Reading!This review was originally posted on Baroness' Book Trove