Sleuthing with the Stars: Lynn Cahoon’s Cozy Mystery Shines in Sedona

Read time: 4 minutes

🎧 Listened in audio
📢 Narrated by: CSE Cooney
⏱ Duration: 9 hours
🏷️ Publisher: Tantor Media and Kensington Cozies

Book Blurb:

In Sleuthing with the Stars, Lynn Cahoon returns us to Sedona, Arizona, where Rarity Cole is building her new life after surviving cancer and opening her cozy haven, New Chapter bookstore. With a film festival about to begin, two high-profile author events promise excitement—and chaos. When a filmmaker turns up dead during the festivities, Rarity’s spirited friend Darby lands in hot water as the prime suspect. Determined to protect her friend, Rarity dives deep into secrets, small-town gossip, and starlit motives in this sixth entry in the Survivor’s Book Club Mystery series.

Let’s talk … murder!!!

Six books in and Rarity Cole still has the power to make me root for her like it’s the first time. There’s something genuinely refreshing about a protagonist whose entire arc is built on gratitude, in a quiet, lived-in way that makes you think. Rarity remains a woman whose second act feels refreshingly grounded in resilience rather than reinvention. Her quiet strength and warmth give the series the emotional backbone that makes each mystery hit a little deeper. In Sleuthing with the Stars, Lynn Cahoon balances the glamour of Sedona’s film festival with the everyday charm of a small-town bookstore, creating a backdrop both picturesque and relatable.

The film festival backdrop is a fun shake-up for Sedona, with a lot of glitz, gossip, and people with their agendas wrapped up in charm. the murder mystery itself clips along at a pace that feels earned rather than rushed, with enough red herrings to keep you second guessing without feeling manipulated. Darby is the friend in need this time. Her return from Scotland adds a lovely layer of warmth and chaos in equal measure. She’s magnetic in the best way, and watching her inadvertently stumble into the centre of a murder investigation is exactly the kind of deliciously cozy setup I’m here for. The mystery unfolds with the trademark Cahoon coziness, with no wild car chases, but plenty of intrigue, secrets, and character-driven twists.

And then there’s CSE Cooney. Honestly, if you’re sleeping on the audiobook version of this series, you are doing yourself a disservice. She brings Rarity’s world to life with this warm, effortless command over the cast. Every character feels distinctly themselves, and she never lets the energy sag even when the plot takes a breath. The narration doesn’t just complement the story, it elevates it. Nine hours in her hands felt like a gift.

Would I recommend it?

If you’re a fan of cozy mysteries with genuine heart, the kind where friendship and resilience sit right alongside the whodunit, Sleuthing with the Stars delivers on every front. It’s warm, witty, and Rarity Cole continues to be the protagonist this genre deserves. Whether you’re a longtime fan of the series or looking for your next comfort read, this one will sit well for you. Heartwarming, gently suspenseful, and perfect for your next weekend listen.

5 Recommendations for Similar Cozy Mystery Vibes:

• The Secret, Book & Scone Society by Ellery Adams — Healing, small-town charm, and a tight-knit group with secrets; practically a spiritual cousin to this series.
  Goodreads | StoryGraph | Pagebound | Fable | Hardcover | OpenLibrary | Litsy
• Booking for Trouble by Jenn McKinlay — A bookshop mystery with a cozy vibe and witty banter that scratches the same itch as Rarity’s New Chapter adventures.
  Goodreads | StoryGraph | Pagebound | Fable | Hardcover | OpenLibrary | Litsy
• Bending the Paw by Diane Kelly — Light, witty, and full of small-town charm and dog-loving details.
  Goodreads | StoryGraph | Pagebound | Fable | Hardcover | OpenLibrary | Litsy
• Murder by Page One by Olivia Matthews — Bookstores, friendship, and just the right dose of mystery.
  Goodreads | StoryGraph | Pagebound | Fable | Hardcover | OpenLibrary | Litsy
• The Bookstore Sisters by Alice Hoffman — Beautiful short fiction about resilience and second chances.
  Goodreads | StoryGraph | Pagebound | Fable | Hardcover | Litsy
  

Lights, Camera, Clues! What Do You Think?

Film festivals, celebrity authors, and a murder in the front row, Rarity’s got a full plate. If you could pick any genre of film festival to set a cozy mystery at (horror? romance? documentary?), which would make for the most chaotic read? Drop it in the comments. I’m genuinely curious!

Book Links:

Want to purchase this or any of your favourite books while supporting a local bookstore? Consider purchasing using the sites below. These sites work with independent local bookstore owners to fulfill your book orders. #SupportLocal

Indiebookstores.ca | Bookshop.org
Goodreads | StoryGraph | Pagebound | Fable | Hardcover | OpenLibrary | Litsy
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