Books On Board

Tourist Trap Mysteries Books in Order

  • 24 Books
  • 2014 – 2022 Published

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How to Read the Tourist Trap Mysteries

Step into the fictional coastal haven of South Cove, California, where former lawyer Jill Gardner runs her charming shop, Coffee, Books, and More. Alongside a quirky cast of locals and her detective boyfriend Greg King, Jill has a knack for finding herself in the middle of local murder investigations. Written by New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Lynn Cahoon, this cozy mystery series blends small-town politics, light romance, and lighthearted whodunits.

Because the series contains a mix of full-length novels and holiday-themed novellas, finding the best reading path can be confusing. To help you get the most out of Jill's character growth and the evolving relationships in South Cove, we recommend two reading orders below.

Recommended Path: Chronological Reading Order

For readers who want to follow the timeline exactly as the events occur, the chronological order is the best choice. This path places the 2024 prequel, Murder in a Tourist Town, at the very beginning (Book 0.5) and slots the holiday novellas directly between the main novels where they fit seasonally and developmentally.

  • Murder in a Tourist Town (2024) — Prequel Novella (Book 0.5)
  • Guidebook to Murder (2014) — Book 1
  • Mission to Murder (2014) — Book 2
  • If the Shoe Kills (2014) — Book 3
  • Dressed to Kill (2015) — Book 4
  • Killer Run (2015) — Book 5
  • Murder on Wheels (2016) — Book 6
  • Tea Cups and Carnage (2016) — Book 7
  • Hospitality and Homicide (2017) — Book 8
  • Killer Party (2017) — Book 9
  • Rockets' Dead Glare (2018) — 4th of July Novella
  • A Deadly Brew (2018) — Halloween Novella
  • Santa Puppy (2018) — Christmas Novella
  • Corned Beef and Casualties (2019) — St. Patrick's Day Novella
  • Mother's Day Mayhem (2019) — Mother's Day Novella
  • A Very Mummy Holiday (2019) — Halloween/Autumn Novella
  • Memories and Murder (2019) — Book 10
  • Murder in Waiting (2020) — Book 11
  • Picture Perfect Frame (2021) — Book 12
  • Wedding Bell Blues (2022) — Book 13
  • A Vacation to Die For (2022) — Book 14
  • Songs of Wine and Murder (2023) — Book 15
  • Olive You to Death (2024) — Book 16
  • Vows of Murder (2025) — Book 17
  • Merry Murder Season (2025) — Book 18

    • Alternative Path: Publication Order

    If you prefer to read the books in the order they were released, you will start with the award-winning Guidebook to Murder and encounter the prequel Murder in a Tourist Town much later in your reading journey. Reading by publication order is a great option because it matches how long-time fans originally experienced the unfolding mysteries and character dynamics.

    Understanding the Novels vs. Holiday Novellas

    Lynn Cahoon regularly alternates between publishing full-length novels and shorter, festive novellas. While the novels drive the main overarching plotlines—such as the growth of Jill's business and her changing relationship with Detective Greg King—the novellas focus on seasonal holidays and small-town celebrations.

    To make accessing these shorter works easier, the novellas have been compiled into physical and digital print collections:

    • Dying to Celebrate: Features the early novellas Rockets' Dead Glare, A Deadly Brew, and Santa Puppy.
    • A Stocking Full of Murder: Compiles the later holiday stories Corned Beef and Casualties, Mother's Day Mayhem, and A Very Mummy Holiday.

    What to Know Before You Start

    The Tourist Trap Mysteries are classic cozy mysteries, meaning they feature amateur sleuths, a charming close-knit community, and lighthearted investigations without graphic violence. Jill Gardner's bookstore and coffee shop, Coffee, Books, and More, serves as the main hub for gossip, strategy sessions, and suspicious characters. Readers will enjoy how Cahoon avoids the standard, frustrating 'will-they-won't-they' romantic trope, opting instead for a steady, realistic relationship progression that matures with every installment.

    Frequently Asked

    Where is the best place to start the Tourist Trap Mysteries?

    The best starting point is the first full-length novel, Guidebook to Murder (2014), which establishes Jill Gardner's move to South Cove, her bookstore, and her first interactions with the local detective. Alternatively, you can start with the prequel novella, Murder in a Tourist Town (2024), for early backstory.

    Are the holiday novellas necessary to understand the main story?

    No, the holiday novellas are optional side stories. While they add fun seasonal context and minor character moments, the major plot and relationship developments occur in the full-length novels.

    Can the books in the Tourist Trap series be read as standalones?

    Each book features a self-contained murder mystery that is solved by the end. However, because the relationships, town politics, and Jill's personal life progress over time, it is highly recommended to read them in order.

    What is the setting of the Tourist Trap Mysteries?

    The series is set in South Cove, California, a fictional, picturesque coastal tourist town filled with local boutiques, historic sites, and scenic beaches.

    Does Lynn Cahoon have other cozy mystery series?

    Yes, Lynn Cahoon is a prolific author who also writes the Cat Latimer Mysteries, the Farm-to-Fork Mysteries, the Kitchen Witch Mysteries, and the Survivors' Book Club Mysteries.

    Are there any crossover stories with Lynn Cahoon's other series?

    No. While she has written several cozy mystery series, they all remain separate standalones with their own unique casts and settings, and there are no official crossovers.