On What Grounds, Coffeehouse Mystery #1

The series revolves around Clare Cosi, the old manager of The Village Blend Coffeehouse, who comes back after 10 years of raising her now grown daughter. As we enter the series, Clare is moving the last of her things into the apartment above the coffeehouse, when she finds her Assistant manager, Anabelle, lying at the foot of the stairs, in what appears to be an accident.  Clare then calls the police. Two police officers, Demetrios and Langley, show up to get the story.  After giving them the story, and excellent coffee to boot, Detective Mike Quinn steps into the picture. After Clare again tells her story, Detective Quinn thinks it was an accident because there is no evidence to prove foul play. Clare, however, thinks otherwise and decides to snoop around to get the truth. Helping her out with the truth is her ex-husband Matteo/Matt, who’s recently come back into the picture after trekking across the country for coffee beans. While digging deeper into Anabelle’s life, Clare begins to uncover some shady secrets from Anabelle’s past and brings plenty of suspects to light.

This book was a good read. The only problem I had with the book was the coffee talk. I can live without knowing that Blue Mountain is richer than the average Maxwell House blend. I know coffee makes up the series because it takes place inside a coffeehouse but the coffee references could be lessen a lot. The ending was a great surprise and didn’t see it coming. I also didn’t see the motive coming. This husband and wife team did a tremendous job keeping the reader on their toes while also giving us a little glimpse into romance for Clare. I hope the series continues to be this good, this suspenseful, and this jaw-dropping because if they are, we are all in for a treat.

Till Death Do Us Bark

I have got to give Judi McCoy credit. This was the best of the dog walker mystery series yet.  The characters have developed over the series and the story flows better. I am happy to announce that there was almost no errors in the book.
     In Till Death Do Us Bark,  Ellie and Viv travel to the Hamptons to attend Viv's older sister, Arlene's,  wedding. Things don't go as planned and the weekend of the wedding Arlene's fiance, Martin, is found dead. Ellie being Ellie, she decides to investigate the crime, with a little goading from Viv. As Ellie and Viv start investigating the murder, they find out more and more incriminating things about Marty. The first being that he is a drug dealer. He supplies customers with prescriptions, who have no medical problems. As the investigation continues, more secrets come out and Ellie even gets hurt during the investigation. There was even a new guy who flirted with Ellie. In the end, the murderer was captured in the usual Ellie way, full of misconceptions and drama. Even Sam got to show up in the end.
     I'm still not happy with Rudy's dislike for Sam. He hasn't even given him a chance. At least Sam is willing to give it a try. I also don't like how Ellie is so willing to pick her dog over her man. One of these days/books, its going to backfire. I hope it does, so that Rudy will learn his lesson.
     All in all, the best book in the series. Some things really pissed me off about it. Then again I'm not the author, even though I would love to rewrite a few of the scenes.

Review of Begging For Trouble

     First off, let me say that whoever edited this book should be fired. Words were misplaced and jumbled together, it was awful.
     Other than the awful editting, this book was a delight to read. It took me 2 days to read and I didn't know who the murderer was until well after halfway through the book. The motive for the killer was a little hard to grasp after the author divulged it, but then again, its fiction. The book kept you turning the pages just to see what would happen next. It had shock value and entertainment.
     The characters in the book haven't really developed since the last book. Ellie is still nosy and insist on sticking her nose in business that has nothing to do with her. However, if it wasn't for her, the cops would be concentrating on just one suspect. They need to learn Ellie is going to be nosy no matter what. I understand that she is devoted to her friends and tries to help them as much as possible, but she needs to learn to let go. She's been poisoned, tied up, and nearly shot. She's never going to learn her lesson. I'm sick of her getting mad at Sam, her boyfriend, because he can't divulge information about an open case. He could lose his job. I feel sorry for Sam sometimes because he tries to get Ellie to see the dangers in the world, but she doesn't and probably never will. Then again, if he would just shut up and listen to her sometimes, he wouldn't have to deal with her going behind his back. Her mother is still a high society witch. I think Ellie should stand up to her. I love her stepfather. He's a delight compared to his wife.
    I also wish that she would just tell her dear friend, Viv, that she can speak to dogs. I get sick of Ellie talking to herself and people watching and judging. At least telling Viv, she can have someone to talk to about her ability.
     All in all, its a great book and the series continues to get better. The characters are developing, slowly but surely. If looking for an easy read, can't beat this series.

The Mystery Shopping Series

So I just finished reading book 6 of Elaine Viets Mystery Shopper Series. It was a good book. It was well written and I had no idea who the murderer was until the end of the book and I didn't know the motive. As I anticipate the 7th book that comes on in November, I find myself getting mad at the protagonist of the books, Josie Marcus. She's a little weak willed when it comes to standing up for herself. For one, she needs to stop backing down to her mother, she has paid for her so-called "sins" and then some. Her boyfriend is great and seems to a great catch compared to the other ones. Her best friend Alyce is stilll shining and is a great Watson to Josie's accidental Sherlock. In book 6, I'm glad Mrs. Mueller got what was coming to her by Jane. She's stuck her nose into the Marcus' family business for why too long. She's the last person to throw stones considering her daughter is a grambler and her son-in-law murdered two people. But that's just me speaking.
     For the auhor, Elaine Viets has a knack for having somewhat weak protagonists when it comes to dealing with their families and the law. When the law steps in to scold the main character because of their meddling, the main character reacts like a deer caught in the headlight. When the scolding is over, the protagonist continues to meddle and snoop. She gives the police to much power. She needs to fix this and hopefully by the next book.
      All in all, good books but needs a little more to make them great books.