Scan barcode
theavidreaderandbibliophile's review against another edition
3.0
Fatality by Firelight by Lynn Cahoon is the second book in A Cat Latimer Mystery series. Cat Latimer is welcoming a new group of writers to her second writer’s retreat in Aspen Hills, Colorado. After inheriting the beautiful Victorian from her ex-husband, Michael, Cat turned the home into the Warm Springs Writers Retreat. On the first full day of the retreat Cat and her boyfriend, Seth (he is also the handyman) take the writers up the mountain for a day of skiing. After enjoying the slopes, Cat and Seth enter the lodge to find the writers enjoying the bar. Christine, one of her guests, is in a clench on the sofa with local, Tommy Neil. It will not go well for Tommy when his fiancé, Brit finds out. Upon arriving back home, Cat tries to warn Christine, but she does not wish to listen (feels he is the one). The next day the group tours the local library. When they are finished, Christine takes off with Tommy. Cat is awoken in the middle of night by the arrival of her Uncle Pete, Chief of Police. Tommy was found murdered and the last person seen with him was Christine. Christine is not in her room, but she soon stumbles in cold, crying and with blood on her top. Christine insists that Tommy was alive when she left. Cat does not see Christine as a killer and starts asking questions around town. In addition to the murder, Uncle Pete is investigating the theft of a signed Hemingway book stolen from the library (and the librarian is pushing him to find the book). Cat thought that writer’s retreats would be quiet and leave her plenty of time to write! Cat is in for a surprising week in Fatality by Firelight.
I thought that Fatality by Firelight was better than A Story to Kill (the first book in the series). I found the story easy to read and it has a beautiful setting. The book has far more going on in it than I summarized above. I do, though, believe Fatality by Firelight could do with a little rewriting and editing. The romance between Seth and Cat is do prominent for my tastes. Especially when Cat has yet to resolve her feelings regarding her ex-husband and his secrets. It started in the first book and continued in Fatality by Firelight. The murder and Michael’s mystery shared the spotlight in this book. I hope Ms. Cahoon does not continue to drag it this particular storyline out for many more books. I am curious, though, to see how the mob ties in with Michael’s demise (you have to read the book to find out what I mean). I give Fatality by Firelight 3.5 out of 5 stars. I wish the murder mystery has been a little more challenging. I could identify the culprit early in the book (there might as well have been a neon sign over the killer’s head). I am having some trouble liking Cat. She is not happy with how much time she must spend interacting with her retreat guests. Cat did not realize how much time she would spend socializing and helping her guests. Cat seems to have formed the idea that writers would come and spend all their time hiding in their rooms writing. It just seemed a little odd to me. Cat also conscribes to what I call the “Scarlett O’Hara” theology. Tomorrow is another day. If you do not get it done today, there is always tomorrow. In Cat’s case, she hopes Shauna will do it for her. I am a fan of the housekeeper, Shauna (I wish she was the main character). Fatality by Firelight is best read after A Story to Kill (first book in series). I will be reading the next book in A Cat Latimer Mystery series. I am curious to see what happened with Michael and what role Dante Cornelio (a handsome mob guy) will play in the next book.
I thought that Fatality by Firelight was better than A Story to Kill (the first book in the series). I found the story easy to read and it has a beautiful setting. The book has far more going on in it than I summarized above. I do, though, believe Fatality by Firelight could do with a little rewriting and editing. The romance between Seth and Cat is do prominent for my tastes. Especially when Cat has yet to resolve her feelings regarding her ex-husband and his secrets. It started in the first book and continued in Fatality by Firelight. The murder and Michael’s mystery shared the spotlight in this book. I hope Ms. Cahoon does not continue to drag it this particular storyline out for many more books. I am curious, though, to see how the mob ties in with Michael’s demise (you have to read the book to find out what I mean). I give Fatality by Firelight 3.5 out of 5 stars. I wish the murder mystery has been a little more challenging. I could identify the culprit early in the book (there might as well have been a neon sign over the killer’s head). I am having some trouble liking Cat. She is not happy with how much time she must spend interacting with her retreat guests. Cat did not realize how much time she would spend socializing and helping her guests. Cat seems to have formed the idea that writers would come and spend all their time hiding in their rooms writing. It just seemed a little odd to me. Cat also conscribes to what I call the “Scarlett O’Hara” theology. Tomorrow is another day. If you do not get it done today, there is always tomorrow. In Cat’s case, she hopes Shauna will do it for her. I am a fan of the housekeeper, Shauna (I wish she was the main character). Fatality by Firelight is best read after A Story to Kill (first book in series). I will be reading the next book in A Cat Latimer Mystery series. I am curious to see what happened with Michael and what role Dante Cornelio (a handsome mob guy) will play in the next book.
nikkibeingsocial's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
kimdavishb's review against another edition
5.0
I was delighted to have the chance to read an early copy of FATALITY BY FIRELIGHT, the second book in the Cat Latimer Mystery series, by Lynn Cahoon. I love the location and premise of this series: a bed-and-breakfast writers’ retreat tucked away in the mountains of Aspen Hills, Colorado. Cat Latimer is owner and hostess of the retreat with her good friend, Shauna Mary, providing delicious meals and snacks. Cat is also an author and runs the writing retreats to earn money so that she can write full time. Except that with her demanding guests, an unforeseen murder investigation, and one of her young, sweet guests a suspect, she doesn’t have much time on her hands. I admired that even though Cat is an introvert, she pushes herself to spend time socializing with her guests and takes it upon herself to help clear the romance writer’s name. After moving back to Aspen Hills, Cat has also reconnected with her old flame, Seth. She’s struggling to move forward in their relationship due to the uncertainty surrounding her ex-husband’s death…who, by the way, bequeathed the huge house to her. The author allows us glimpses of Cat’s emotions that make her seem real and builds a connection to her.
The main murder plot of discovering who killed local bad boy, Tommy, is also woven around several subplots. The enigma of Cat’s ex-husband’s untimely demise is a mystery that first started in the first book, continues in FATALITY BY FIRELIGHT, and will be continued in the next book. Cat also gets involved in trying to help figure out who is stealing rare books from the town’s college library. Could the tall, dark, and handsome mysterious stranger, who just so happens to know her name, have anything to do with the turmoil surrounding Cat? The author expertly juggles, tangles, and weaves the various threads of the story into one cohesive read that had me turning pages faster and faster!
I willingly provided a review after receiving a copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The main murder plot of discovering who killed local bad boy, Tommy, is also woven around several subplots. The enigma of Cat’s ex-husband’s untimely demise is a mystery that first started in the first book, continues in FATALITY BY FIRELIGHT, and will be continued in the next book. Cat also gets involved in trying to help figure out who is stealing rare books from the town’s college library. Could the tall, dark, and handsome mysterious stranger, who just so happens to know her name, have anything to do with the turmoil surrounding Cat? The author expertly juggles, tangles, and weaves the various threads of the story into one cohesive read that had me turning pages faster and faster!
I willingly provided a review after receiving a copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
aspygirlsmom_1995's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
katreader's review against another edition
4.0
FATALITY BY FIRELIGHT by Lynn Cahoon
The Second Cat Latimer Mystery
Cat Latimer is ready to put the unpleasantness of her last writing retreat behind her as she gears up for her second. She gets another odd group however, including a writer more interested in researching local history than writing, an intense poet, and a romance writer falling for a local bad boy. When the local bad boy turns up dead and Christina becomes a suspect, Cat knows she needs to step in. Cat gets more than she bargained for as she discovers her quiet Colorado town serves as the educational hub of mob families and her late ex-husband may not have been the louse she thought, instead he may have been working to protect her. As Cat sparks the interest of a connected visitor to the town, she also tries to evaluate her relationship with Seth...and find some closure with Michael. Will she be able to get through her second retreat and still get her word count in without any more dead bodies?
Lynn Cahoon delivers another fine mystery in FATALITY BY FIRELIGHT. The characters are well developed with solid backstories. Even the more minor characters are able to give glimpses of their lives beyond the page. The author is able to manage the current murder mystery with puzzles of the past, both compelling, and neither overshadowing the other.
FATALITY BY FIRELIGHT is a well written novel that wraps you up in coziness. The frigid Colorado temperatures are countered by the warmth of Cat and her friends, buffeted by the murder and puzzles that surround them.
The Second Cat Latimer Mystery
Cat Latimer is ready to put the unpleasantness of her last writing retreat behind her as she gears up for her second. She gets another odd group however, including a writer more interested in researching local history than writing, an intense poet, and a romance writer falling for a local bad boy. When the local bad boy turns up dead and Christina becomes a suspect, Cat knows she needs to step in. Cat gets more than she bargained for as she discovers her quiet Colorado town serves as the educational hub of mob families and her late ex-husband may not have been the louse she thought, instead he may have been working to protect her. As Cat sparks the interest of a connected visitor to the town, she also tries to evaluate her relationship with Seth...and find some closure with Michael. Will she be able to get through her second retreat and still get her word count in without any more dead bodies?
Lynn Cahoon delivers another fine mystery in FATALITY BY FIRELIGHT. The characters are well developed with solid backstories. Even the more minor characters are able to give glimpses of their lives beyond the page. The author is able to manage the current murder mystery with puzzles of the past, both compelling, and neither overshadowing the other.
FATALITY BY FIRELIGHT is a well written novel that wraps you up in coziness. The frigid Colorado temperatures are countered by the warmth of Cat and her friends, buffeted by the murder and puzzles that surround them.
hugbandit7's review against another edition
5.0
I have really enjoyed this spinoff of the author's Tourist Trap series. This is the second book n the series and I want to visit this town in Colorado and stay at this retreat even though I am not a writer.
There are several mysteries happening in this series. The first is one that will be seen in probably all of the books until solved, what happened to Cat's ex-husband Michael. We gain a little more insight in this book as to what he might have been involved in or with whom.
The main mystery is the death of a local Lothario (or so he thinks) and of course one of the retreat visitors, Christina, was considered as the killer. She had some other issues back home and that seemed to add to the issue. It wasn't a huge surprise who the killer was because this character was a bit odd/suspicious to me. I also did figure out another aspect having to do with Christina's issues back home.
I like seeing Cat and Seth's relationship continue. However, there is the introduction of Dante, that while it isn't likely to become a love triangle, he does seem to be actively pursuing Cat. And how exactly does Dante fit into the story about her ex-husband? Only future books will tell us I think!
Overall great book and can't wait to read more.
There are several mysteries happening in this series. The first is one that will be seen in probably all of the books until solved, what happened to Cat's ex-husband Michael. We gain a little more insight in this book as to what he might have been involved in or with whom.
The main mystery is the death of a local Lothario (or so he thinks) and of course one of the retreat visitors, Christina, was considered as the killer. She had some other issues back home and that seemed to add to the issue. It wasn't a huge surprise who the killer was because this character was a bit odd/suspicious to me. I also did figure out another aspect having to do with Christina's issues back home.
I like seeing Cat and Seth's relationship continue. However, there is the introduction of Dante, that while it isn't likely to become a love triangle, he does seem to be actively pursuing Cat. And how exactly does Dante fit into the story about her ex-husband? Only future books will tell us I think!
Overall great book and can't wait to read more.
peggyemi's review against another edition
5.0
I absolutely loved this book. I think it was even better than the first which I enjoyed tremendously. Fatality by Firelight has all of the components that I look for in a cozy mystery series and then some. This is a wonderfully written, fast paced story full of mystery and intrigue. I thought the mystery itself was very strong and Ms. Cahoon supplied us as readers with great twists and turns along with the unexpected. I just kept turning the pages trying to get in one last chapter. I also think that the characters are well crafted. For the second book in a series they have depth, dimension and already feel like old friends. I can't wait until the next book in this series because it is fast becoming one of my favorites and I am hooked.
I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy provided by the publisher through Netgalley.
I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy provided by the publisher through Netgalley.