Dressed to Kill is the Newest Installment of the Tourist Trap Mystery Series. Find out what Jill is up to now.
Small Town Relationships.
Hi – I’m Lynn Cahoon, author of The Tourist Trap Mysteries, with the upcoming Dressed to Kill releasing this month. I’m happy to be here on Shelley’s Book Case today.
My books are set in sunny (most of the time) central coastal California in a little town called South Cove. And with each book, a different business comes to town or is highlighted during the story. Dressed to Kill’s new store idea came from the appearance of my main character’s new boyfriend’s ex-wife. (Say that ten times fast. . .) Sherry King arrived on the scene in person in If the Shoe Kills and instead of disappearing back into the fashion world where she loves to play, she stayed around.
And opened a business. Vintage Duds is one of those shops I’d love to have in my own life, consignment designer clothing at a price tag I can afford. Although I have to say what I wear out of my closet is closer to Old Navy than designer anything.
In my personal life, I’m very familiar with ex-spouses. I’ve even got one of my own. My step brother was married five times, twice to the same woman. So our family reunions are always interesting. New wives, new kids, new cars, and all the angst that comes from a less than stable atmosphere.
Mix in a small town where everyone knows and probably asks about your ex from time to time, and it’s enough to send the new girlfriend screaming into the night. Or have her pull up her big girl panties and just get over it.
I hope you’ll agree that’s where Jill will be by the end of the book. I didn’t paint Sherry totally evil because no one is totally black or white. (Although I have met a few people who hung on the edge.) Getting your past to stay in the little box you shoved it into when the divorce papers are signed is sometimes harder than separating the assets when you decide to call it quits. And when they open a business in your town, life takes on a new twist.
So there’s a taste of what Jill has to deal with in Dressed to Kill. Well, that and practicing for a charity dinner theater where she’s a twenties flapper with Greg as her Mob boyfriend, tommy-gun and all.
Who said small towns are boring? Not anyone who’s ever lived in one.
Are you from a small town? Do you have a favorite ex-story?
Lynn
Dressed to KillIt is always fun to visit with Jill and Jackie, fresh coffee book and murder are a perfect way to start this book. I have been a fan of this series since the beginning, but this is my favorite one so far. The town is getting ready for their twenties dinner theater but when a dead body is found that isn't part of the act it makes this a real mystery to solve and Jill is on it to find out who the killer is and stop them before someone else is becomes the next victim.
Jill Gardner—owner of Coffee, Books, and More in the tucked-away town of South Cove, California—is not particularly thrilled to be portraying a twenties flapper for the dinner theater murder mystery. Though it is for charity...Of course, everyone is expecting a “dead” body at the dress rehearsal. . .but this one isn’t acting! It turns out the main suspect is the late actor’s conniving girlfriend Sherry. . .who also happens to be the ex-wife of Jill’s main squeeze. Sherry is definitely a master manipulator. ..but is she a killer? Jill may discover the truth only when the curtain comes up on the final act. . .and by then, it may be far too late.
"Murder, dirty politics, pirate lore, and a hot police detective: Guidebook to Murder has it all! A cozy lover’s dream come true." --Susan McBride, author of The Debutante Dropout Mysteries
BIO
New York Times and USA Today best-selling author, Lynn Cahoon is an Idaho native. If you’d visit the town where she grew up, you’d understand why her mysteries and romance novels focus around the depth and experience of small town life. Currently, she’s living in a small historic town on the banks of the Mississippi river where her imagination tends to wander. She lives with her husband and two fur babies.
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I didn't know there was such a thing as a favorite ex story! At least not that I can remember anymore. This sounds like such a good series, and this a great story in it! jeaniedannheim ( at ) ymail ( dot ) com
ReplyDeleteOh, yes, there are...LOL.
DeleteI grew up in a small town but moved to a larger city. I don't have any entertaining ex stories... Dressed to Kill sounds like a exciting mystery! Thank you for the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping in Jen!
DeleteMine is along the lines of creepy....the ex kept driving past the house slowly, while tipping his hat.....
DeleteKathleen B
No ex story, for me. Just wanted to say thanks, Shelley and Lynn. The book sounds great!
ReplyDeleteI'm from a big city originally but have lived in small rural towns two times in my life, and now I actually live in California so I am enjoying reading books set here. I read your first book and really enjoyed it. Thanks for the chance!
ReplyDeleteI've always lived in a small town and don't like when I need to go to the bigger towns to do any type of business. The people are friendlier in smaller towns and not so rushed. I wouldn't trade it for anything. robeader53@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteGOOD LUCK WITH YOUR BOOK AND THANKS FOR THE GIVEAWAY! SHELLEY S. calicolady60@hotmail.com
ReplyDeleteWay too many favorite ex stories to tell! It was quite a ride!
ReplyDelete