Dying to Read: A Novel (The Cate Kinkaid Files-Book 1) [Paperback]

Lorena McCourtney (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 2012 | Series: The Cate Kinkaid Files (Book 1)

Cate Kinkaid is just dipping her toe into the world of private investigating until one of the many résumés she has floating around lands her a real job. All she has to do is determine that a particular woman lives at a particular address. Simple, right? When the big and brooding house happens to contain a dead body, this routine PI job turns out to be anything but simple. Is Cate in over her head?

Readers will be hooked from the very first chapter of this fast-paced and witty romantic mystery from bestselling and award-winning author Lorena McCourtney.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

"Lorena McCourtney's lively cozy mysteries hit all the right notes for me, and her newest doesn't miss a chord. A quirky, likable heroine, a handsome guy, and oh, a murder. Don't miss Cate Kinkaid's first case as a PI. It's a killer."--Lyn Cote, author of La Belle Christiane


All she wanted was a paycheck. What she got was a murder.

Cate Kinkaid's life is . . . well, frankly it's floundering. Her social life, her career, her haircut--they're all a mess. Unemployed, she jumps at the chance to work for her PI uncle, even though she has no experience and no instincts. After all, she is just dabbling in the world of private investigating until she can find a "real" job.

All she has to do for her first assignment is determine that a particular woman lives at a particular address. Simple, right? But when she reaches the dark Victorian house, she runs into an hungry horde of gray-haired mystery readers and a dead body. This routine PI job is turning out to be anything but simple. Is Cate in over her head?


"I loved all the witty prose and the laugh-out-loud moments I've come to expect when reading McCourtney's mysteries. Seasoned with romance and a fascinating collection of peculiar characters, this clever tale will keep you guessing about more than murder. Never a dull moment, Dying to Read is a winner!"--Elizabeth Goddard, author of Carol Award-winning The Camera Never Lies

"McCourtney has fashioned a fun and engaging mystery that begs to be solved. Kick off your shoes, curl up somewhere comfortable, and prepare to be entertained! Dying to Read will keep you fully engrossed and guessing."--Kathy Herman, author of the Baxter series, Seaport Suspense series, and Secrets of Roux River Bayou series

"Crisp, witty writing spins this amateur sleuth tale into a late-night page-turner."--Suzanne Woods Fisher, bestselling author of the Lancaster County Secrets series

"Quirky, charming, and fun. Myriad suspects, plot twists, good dialogue, romance: mystery fans will find it all in good form."--Publishers Weekly

Lorena McCourtney is the award-winning author of dozens of novels, including Invisible (which won a Daphne du Maurier Award from Romance Writers of America), In Plain Sight, On the Run, and Stranded. She resides in Oregon.

About the Author

Lorena McCourtney is the New York Times bestselling and award-winning author of dozens of novels, including Invisible (which won the Daphne du Maurier Award from Romance Writers of America) and Dying to Read. She resides in Oregon.

Product Details

• Paperback: 313 pages
• Publisher: Revell (August 1, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0800721586
• ISBN-13: 978-0800721589
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.9 x 8.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (97 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #306,834 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Another Winner for McCourtney August 1, 2012

By A. E. Arndt

Format:Paperback

Cate is a young woman trying to find her place in this world -- and stumbling. When her uncle takes pity on her, she decides to help him out a little until someone answers one of the flurry of resumes she's submitted. But, things get pretty messy fast. Instead of a quick skip trace, Cate finds murder and a whole host of suspects including a ladies book club, a rich power couple and a particularly handsome handyman. Can she make her uncle proud or will she fail miserably at this, too?

Lorena McCourtney is a very gifted writer. And this cozy mystery drew me in from the first page and kept me reading until the end. Cate is quirky, likable and I'm afraid I identified a little too closely with her bumbling -- but tenacious -- efforts to complete her mission.

McCourtney's works always have a redeeming storyline, too. They are the ultimate feel-good cozy. In fact, I've read books from her Ivy Malone and her Andi McConnell series and loved them, too. If you like cozies, you'll love Dying to Read.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Another wonderful, fun, Lorena McCourtney Mystery August 1, 2012

By adam77

Format:Paperback

Dying to Read
By Lorena McCourtney

I've read every book in the Ivy Malone mystery series by Lorena McCourtney I could get my hands on so jumped at the chance to enjoy Dying to Read, a novel that revolves around the Whodunit Book Club and a murder.
Job hunting, Cate Kincaid was hired to help her private investigator uncle while he recovers from surgery. Cate's assignment is to find a granddaughter so the she can collect her inheritance. At the first stop--a place where the granddaughter previously was employed, Cate stumbles on a body.
I seems logical to this young inexperienced PI that the rich woman died because someone pushed her down the stairs. But on the other hand, there were sleeping pills and evidence she walked in her sleep. So the police don't list the death as a homicide.
But clues keep popping up that show a whole bunch of people had reason to want the woman dead and Cate finds herself getting involved in trying to solve the murder.
Contrary to the good sense God gave her and warnings from her new male friend, Mitch, Cate keeps snooping around because of the dead woman's cat and the need to complete the job her uncle assigned her--find the young heiress.
In classic Lorena McCourtney style this evolves into a great mystery that especially at the end keeps the reader awake at night and eyes open a while after the book has ended.
The may be the best book the author has done yet. As usual with this author, the story has humor sprinkled throughout. I recommend it.
I was provided a review copy by the author and Revell Publishing, but opinions here are my own.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars A Bit Preachy, but good October 31, 2012

By B. Berry

Format:Paperback

The description of the book had me at hello. When I started to read it I was a bit dissapointed in that I felt it was a bit preachy. It got better as I got into the book, but the point that bothered me throughout the entire story line was that Cate is waiting for God to tell her about her relationships. She is looking for a big sign, and a decision made for her, which I totally disagree with.

The mystery and suspense part of the book was great. I honestly didn't figure it out, I questioned everyone, and I think the 'bad guys' all had very real personalities. I understood his intentions and desires, and what led him to make the choices that he did..
Overall, a decent read.