by Wendy Roberts
Series: Latte, Espresso, Cappuccino & Murder Mystery #1
Genres: Cozy Mystery
Source: Purchase
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
Barista Jen Hanby's coworkers give her a hard time for bringing coffee and pastries to a homeless man who sits outside her café—but she has a secret. The scruffy man is her father.
She's also hiding the little matter of why her palm itches. But how can she explain that her hand has a mind of its own and writes messages from the beyond? Right. That'll get her Employee of the Month.
When she finds herself scrawling your boyfriend is cheating on you! to herself on the bathroom mirror, she immediately dumps the guy. But then his little fling—who just happens to be her half sister—turns up dead, and suddenly Jen's homeless father is the prime suspect.
Jen knows he is being framed and must take matters into her own hands to protect him. But will anyone believe that the crazy old man is innocent? Or that his spirit-writing daughter holds the truth?
GROUNDS TO KILL by Wendy Roberts has been on my TBR pile forever. How could I resist a cozy mystery with a coffee theme? This novel is the first book in the Latte, Espresso, Cappuccino & Murder Mystery series featuring Barista Jen Hanby. Entertaining with a light swish of paranormal Roberts delivered a solid murder mystery with banter, suspense, and coffee!!!
Jen Hanby is a thirty-something Barista worker in a Seattle coffeehouse who has a few secrets. First, there is a reason she gives coffee and muffins to the homeless man hanging around the Barista and second when her palm itches it means there is a message from the beyond.
The tale opens with Jen’s palm itching and a message from beyond that her boyfriend is sleeping with her nemesis and half-sister Misty. Things get complicated when not only Jen and her father end up suspects in a murder investigation.
I liked Jen, who at times was a little flighty, but she made me giggle. I appreciated how she tried to protect those she loves and unravel the murder mystery. Good friends surround her, and her co-worker was someone I enjoyed. He was witty, and the teasing between them felt genuine and added humor. Jen’s pooch is adorable and has some good instincts regarding folks. Too bad it takes Jen so much time to figure things out.
Quick paced, with fun characters from the nosy older neighbor to the many suspects I slipped in rather easily and enjoyed this little cozy. There is a romance, but it is light and sweet. It looks like one that will develop as the series does. Of course, all the references to coffee had me drooling!
GROUNDS TO KILL was a fun beginning to this series. I enjoyed how the mystery wrapped up and while I figured out who fairly early the reveal shared the why. I thought Roberts did a great job with the red herrings and leads.
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
Lark
Sounds like a fun read, and the coffee theme is right up your alley!
kimbacaffeinate
Yet, it was a fun cozy 🙂
lisa thomson
This sounds like one I will enjoy. I’m ready for a cozy mystery. Thanks for the review, Kim 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Cozy mysteries are perfect this time of year.
Lampshade Reader
I just love cozy mysteries. I had to add this to my TBR. 🙂 Great review. ~Aleen
kimbacaffeinate
Yeah, it was fun and well COFFEE!!!
Felicia GeekyBlogger (
I would probably like this one since I really like the Cleo Coyle series (this sounds similar to that) 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
It was fun and of course the coffee only added to the tale.
ShootingStarsMag
Glad you could finally read this and found it enjoyable! I do love a fun cozy mystery.
kimbacaffeinate
I like weaving them in from time to time Lauren.
Laura Thomas
Yes! My cozy addiction is tingling for this one!
kimbacaffeinate
Hehe 🙂 enjoy!
Angela Adams
Wow! Love the title of this series!! Thanks for the post!!!
kimbacaffeinate
Right. It spoke to me. …lol
Stormi Johnson
Oh I need this one, love coffee themed cozies!!! 🙂 How do I not know about this one!
kimbacaffeinate
Glad I could share Stormi!
Katherine
This sounds really cute! I’m pretty sure Wendy Roberts wrote another series about a woman who ran a crime scene clean up company and could see ghosts. It was super cute and I really enjoyed it. If it’s the same author I really need to read this one! Off to go find out!
kimbacaffeinate
Oh neat, I will have to check it out.
Melissa (Books and Things)
If this isn’t the perfect cozy for you… 😀
This sounds good and I love it when they have good characters and red herrings. So much fun.
kimbacaffeinate
It was fun and of course the setting was wonderful…
Michele
Ahhh, that title! This book was made for you! I love the sound of it, and you know I can’t resist a good cozy mystery. And Jen has a pooch! Wonderful review, my friend. On the list it goes!
kimbacaffeinate
Ha..yes me and anything coffee <3
Maggie
Sounds like an entertaining read, one I would probably enjoy it with some tea on the side lol 🙂 (I don’t drink coffee)
kimbacaffeinate
I like tea too, but coffee is my drug of choice 🙂
Sophia Rose
Nope, you just couldn’t not pick this up. If I saw it first, I would have definitely tagged you on FB about it. LOL And, I’d probably one-click a copy of my own because this does sound like a fun cozy.
kimbacaffeinate
Ha..yes it does scream Caffeinated 🙂
Angie
Wow! What a great blurb. I’m glad to see the story lived up to it! Lots of family drama in this one. LOL
Great review.
kimbacaffeinate
Thanks Angie.
Heidi
I am pretty sure I have a copy of this in my TBR as well. I want to dig it out and read it just because I am craving cozy and light, and it is set in the NW and coffee. Sounds like a good read to me.
kimbacaffeinate
I hope you enjoy it Heidi.
sherry fundin
I read a lot of cozies and this looks like a good one.
kimbacaffeinate
I hope you give it a go Sherry.
Laurel-Rain Snow
The coffee theme, the Seattle setting…I’m in! I love the sound of this one. Thanks for sharing.
kimbacaffeinate
Right….I hope you get to try it.
blodeuedd
Sounds good 🙂 Easy too
kimbacaffeinate
Perfect for a rainy Sunday afternoon.
Wendy Roberts
Thank you so much for the awesome review! I’m raising my large cup of coffee to you 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
You are welcome!
kindlemom1
Glad this was a good start to a series Kim!
kimbacaffeinate
It was fun Ali, and there was coffee!
Debbie Haupt
Wow a cozy coffee caper she could have written this with you in mind he he he . Thanks for the great review this actually looks like something I could sink my taste buds into.
ps why did my little favicon change on my posts here?
xo
kimbacaffeinate
Hahaha..right.
kimbacaffeinate
The coffee cup is the default. I would check your WordPress or Comment Luv profile.
Melliane
well I’m not a big fan of coffee but it could be interesting!
kimbacaffeinate
You wound me, but I do like tea too.
Melliane
LOL I don’t like tea either… I’m not a hot drink girl, neither hot chocolate
kimbacaffeinate
Well, that’s ok. My mom used to crack open a Coke Cola very day to get her caffeine. What is your favorite beverage?
Geybie's Book Blog
Awesome review, Kim. I see that this book is not fully meant to be read standalone. I need to read the next books to fully enjoy the story.
I’m not so sure about this one but the next books might be way better as the story develops, so I’ll look at this.
Thanks for sharing, Kim. 😀
kimbacaffeinate
Thanks Geybie.