Rating: Good
Source: NetGalley
Description: Cat and the members of her writers' retreat have just arrived in Outlaw, Colorado, an "Old West" tourist town complete with inhabitants dressed up as famous figures from history. But this authentic slice of Americana takes a murderous turn when a college student masquerading as a 19th-century saloon girl becomes history herself.
Was she the intended target? Or did she take a hit meant for someone else? With a cast of suspects to choose from--including some notorious gunslingers and the sleazy town founders--Cat must unhorse the real culprit before a real-life ghost story is given a killer twist . . .
Genre: Mystery - Cozy
Why I Picked This Book: I've enjoyed this series and this one has a ghost town. How can I misss a cozy mystery with a ghost town?
My Impression: I don't like this series quite as much as Cahoon's Tourist Trap series but I have to admit that it's really starting to catch up. I really love Cat and Shauna and especially Uncle Pete. I liked that this one was kind of Writer's Retreat adjacent with neither victim nor suspects actually staying with Cat though they were pulled in of course. The antics of this group really cracked me up and I'm not sure any town is safe with a whole bunch of historical romance authors running around getting into things. I also loved the writing details - especially when Cat referenced the Too Stupid to Live trait that most of us have complained about a time or two.
The mystery was good though I felt like the ending wrapped up a bit too suddenly and could have used a little more explanation. However, I did really enjoy the investigation into what was going on around Jessie. I'm still not so sure how I feel about the town's "connections' but it does work for being able to easily add a possible motive.
The book itself was a fun read that pulled me in right away and was a reading experience I thoroughly enjoyed. The ending was really the only thing that took it down a notch but it DOES answer all the questions but just a bit quicker than I wanted.
Would I Read More of this Series/Author? Absolutely! I already have the next book ready to be read.
Would I Recommend this Book? If you enjoy cozies than this is a great series to start though I think you might enjoy it more if you started from the beginning.
* I received this book in exchange for an honest review. As always my opinions and impressions are completely my own. *
I think most series are best read from the beginning. When I clicked over my eyes deceived me! I thought the title was Stay in Character!
ReplyDeleteThe ghost town part sounds cool. I like the cover.
ReplyDeleteThis author has been featured all over book bloggers' posts with this series. I think I read the first of the Tourist Trap series. I'll need to refresh my memory.
ReplyDeleteThis series is growing on me as well! :)
ReplyDelete