Having read one of the Tourist Trap Mysteries I was keen to follow the story. In A MISSION TO MURDER we met the people of South Cove, California, and Jill Gardner, who owns Coffee, Books and More. IF THE SHOE KILLS focuses on the enterprising community here in the coastal town as they gear up for Christmas.

Summer is a busy tourist season, but the winter holiday season is when shops sell goods. The mayor has arranged for a Welfare to Work programme to get stores free help and give interns some experience, but not all business owners co-operate. They haven't time to train someone, don't want delinquents, and they worry about their wine stock. Jill tries to stress a positive spin, especially with a reporter for the local paper at the council meeting. And the upcoming festival is important for trade. The intern programme director, Ted Hendricks, seems professional but Jill feels that he turns controlling and bullying when he doesn't get his own way.

Jill is also preparing to host a Thanksgiving dinner, and her shop sells cheesecake pumpkin squares, so even in California we can feel the change of seasons. But amid the preparations Jill finds someone dead in a parked car. Natural causes, or suspicious death? Which do business owners want to believe? With the outside interns, there are several unknown people in town. Plus, Jill doesn't know the locals as well as she thought.

This enjoyable series by Lynn Cahoon puts emphasis on normal people leading their lives, so we see relationship conversations, debates about going to meet family for Thanksgiving, hearty food, the busy and early day of a shop owner. Jill, who trained as a lawyer, listens for the abnormal, the disappeared wife, the intimidated employee. Her partner Greg is in the local police, and a great character in his own right, so he is a good foil for her suspicions and can follow up on clues. Nobody wants a murderer in town if the publicity might deter festival visitors.

IF THE SHOE KILLS seems light but addresses some serious issues, especially surrounding disadvantaged women and domineering men. Lynn Cahoon uses her main characters to demonstrate a good relationship and create a contrast. Her cozy mystery would make a brilliant present for crime lovers.