Picture a storyteller who spun cozy mysteries and heartfelt romances from the heart of small-town America—meet Lynn Cahoon! A New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, Cahoon crafts tales of imperfect people finding love and solving crimes in charming settings. Her journey from an Idaho upbringing to literary stardom, fueled by a life-changing battle with breast cancer, is as inspiring as her books.
The Making of Lynn Cahoon
Born in Nampa, Idaho, Lynn Cahoon grew up in the kind of tight-knit community she now immortalizes in her novels. Her early years were steeped in small-town life, where riverbanks and quiet moments sparked her imagination. A breast cancer diagnosis in 2007 became a turning point, pushing her to pursue writing seriously. Between treatments, she rediscovered her love for mysteries, particularly cozy ones, and began crafting stories that blended heart and intrigue.
Lynn Cahoon’s Unforgettable Stories
Cahoon’s breakout hit, the Tourist Trap Mystery series, set in the fictional coastal town of South Cove, California, follows Jill Gardner, a bookshop owner turned amateur sleuth. The series, starting with Guidebook to Murder (2014), won the Reader’s Crown for Mystery Fiction in 2015 and has grown to over 18 books, blending cozy charm with clever whodunits. Her Cat Latimer series, centered on a writers’ retreat in Colorado, showcases her knack for quirky characters and layered plots. Cahoon also pens the Farm-to-Fork series, set in her native Idaho, and the Kitchen Witch Mysteries, infusing magic into culinary capers. Her romance novels, often published under the pen name Lynn Collins, like the Bull Rider series, capture the sparks of love in rustic settings.
Her writing style is warm and inviting, with a focus on community, unconditional love, and resilient heroines. Cahoon’s small-town settings feel like home, yet her mysteries keep readers guessing. Her ability to weave humor, heart, and suspense has earned her a devoted readership and critical acclaim.
Why Lynn Cahoon Matters
Lynn Cahoon’s impact lies in her celebration of ordinary people facing extraordinary challenges. Her stories resonate with readers who crave escapism wrapped in relatable emotions, from the thrill of solving a murder to the warmth of finding love. As a breast cancer survivor, she infuses her work with hope and resilience, inspiring readers to embrace life’s second chances. Her prolific output—spanning multiple series and genres—has solidified her as a cornerstone of cozy mystery and contemporary romance.
- Born: Nampa, Idaho
- Key Works: Tourist Trap Mysteries, Cat Latimer Mysteries, Bull Rider series
- Awards: Reader’s Crown for Mystery Fiction (2015)
- Fun Fact: A 15-year breast cancer survivor, she lives in Tennessee with her husband and two pets.
About Lynn Cahoon
Ready to escape to a cozy small town? Snag Guidebook to Murder and dive into Lynn Cahoon’s delightful world of mysteries and romance!