Dying to Read

by Lynn Cahoon

I don’t often listen to books instead of reading them, but I decided to go the audio book route with Dying to Read after I finished reading Cahoon’s Reading Between the Lies. C.S.E. Cooney is the narrator, and I think she did a very good job of distinguishing the various characters. 

Cancer survivor Rarity Cole owns a bookstore in Sedona, Arizona. She also hosts a book club on Tuesday nights at the shop. It began as a mystery book club for cancer survivors, but has become more inclusive and even has an extension for a group of amateur sleuths who investigate and share information with law enforcement. As Rarity moves further in time from her breast cancer experience, she remains committed to healthy practices but seems to see herself less as a survivor as she moves into her new “normal.” It is clear, however, that the cancer and its treatment will always color the perspective of Rarity and the other survivors of cancer.

This book has a lot of plot complications. There is a murder at a Memory Care Center where Shirley, a part-time employee at the bookstore, has placed her husband who no longer recognizes her. There were shenanigans with the security system. Shirley’s husband George is accused of the murder. Another resident claims to be getting ready to marry George. There are many other suspects at the nursing home with a variety of possible motives. Meanwhile, rare copies of some first edition books appear randomly at Rarity’s bookstore. They seem to tie back into a theft/murder cold case. On the personal front, Archer, Rarity’s boyfriend, is ready to move in with her but suddenly stops regular contact causing Rarity to revisit emotional issues experienced with her ex-fiancé who decided she was “no fun anymore” when she was going through her cancer treatments! 

Dying to Read is fascinating and the whodunit was a surprise but made sense. I’m looking forward to the next book in the series because clearly that good storyteller Lynn Cahoon has more adventures in mind for Rarity.

Rating: 4/5

Category: Mystery

Notes: 1. #5 in the Survivor’s Book Club mystery series

    2, To amplify on my listening versus reading: I am thankful for the hearing aids I wear but while they amplify, they do not always clarify speech for me. For example, this week I thought I would do a quick listen to a book that I read about three weeks ago to refresh my memory before my book club meeting. I had to give up within a few minutes of listening; it just wasn’t working for me.  I reread the book instead, enjoying the beautiful language even more the second time around. Envious of a fellow blogger who inhales books and listens to many audio books at an increased speed, I tried ramping up the speed which made the hearing process go from bad to worse. I’ll remain thankful for reading and only occasionally dip into audio books (while I walk my dogs).

Publication:  May 6, 2025—Lyrical Press/Tantor Media