Mocha and Murder By Tonya Kappes: Review/Giveaway

by Kathleen Costa

Details at the end of this post on how to enter to win a copy of Mocha and Murder, and a link to purchase it from Amazon & an indie bookstore where a portion goes to help support KRL.

The Bean Hive has the perfect location on the boardwalk serving the best treats and hot coffee with a marvelous view of Lake Honey Springs, and seeing a smile on her customers’ faces is why Roxy Bloom didn’t miss being a lawyer. Her coffeehouse with all of its locally sourced ingredients and high quality coffees and teas make this the ideal place for locals and tourists alike. Heading out to the farmers’ market with Pepper, her friendly adopted Schnauzer, was going to the perfect way to enjoy some quiet time with Patrick Cane, her childhood sweetheart turned fiancé. But, this quiet time is interrupted when Louise Carlton, owner of the Pet Palace animal shelter, starts arguing with local farmer Fred Hill. Louise may well regret her very vocal and public disagreement, when she is found, bloody knife in hand, over the dead body of none other than Fred Hill.

Roxy’s skill set for investigating murders has been proven, but Detective Spencer still feels compelled to tell her to ‘leave it to the professionals.’ Despite the warning, Roxy knows in a small town like Honey Springs the best place to start an investigation is with the local gossip. She inadvertently learns about an exotic chicken, valuable eggs, property disputes, and money troubles for more than a few residents. But a murder investigation is nothing when compared to learning that her mom is making gestures to stay. Penny Bloom was never a fan of Honey Springs, or Aunt Maxie for that matter, and was vocally upset when Roxy chose to give up being a lawyer, so Roxy is definitely stressed by the prospect of having Mom so close by.

Once again, I am in seventh heaven enjoying the southern community and characters that Tonya Kappes is so talented in creating. Mocha and Murder is the second book in the Killer Coffee series with which fans, like me, are thrilled, but newbies need not shy away since there is plenty of back story to make new fans out of them. However, there is a ‘spoiler’ reference, so I highly recommend reading the first book, Scene of the Grind, to make your experience complete.

This new story is brilliant including some contemporary issues many may have experienced—I knew the IRS calls and threats I received were a scam, but it was very scary, nonetheless, and engaging to see how it played out in this book. With several twists and a great “Oh my!” ending that once again put the main character in jeopardy, amateur Sherlocks are given the opportunity to solve the murder mystery on their own. Me? I had a couple of possible solutions and one long shot, and the long shot came in.

The characters are well developed and entertaining, but also sharing their venerability with some family revelations and hatchets buried. My favorite is Roxy, of course, who is strong-willed, but not obstinate, and loyal to friends and family that seems to be putting her in harm’s way. The setting of Honey Springs, Kentucky, and the issues with being a new full-time resident and running a popular coffeehouse play delightfully in the background along with exploring the relationship of reunited lovers and a mother/daughter dynamic. Additionally, we can always count on some easy-to-follow recipes straight from The Bean Hive: Velvet Chocolate Chip Cookies, Apple Crisp Cookies (The Bean Hive favorite), Watermelon Pup-sicles (Pepper’s favorite warm day treat!), and Southern Light Pound Cake. From fans we get Vegan Chocolate Cake with Peanut Butter Frosting and Twinkie Cake. You’ve got the book and the treats…now invite the friends!

Mocha and Murder earns 5/5 Exotic Ayam Cemani Eggs!

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To enter to win a copy of Murder and Mocha, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line “mocha,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen July 22, 2017. U.S. residents only. If entering via email please include your mailing address, and if via comment please include your email address.

Check out other mystery articles, reviews, book giveaways & short stories in our mystery section.

Use this link to purchase the book & a portion goes to help support KRL & indie bookstore Mysterious Galaxy:

Mocha and Murder

You can use this link to purchase this book from Amazon. If you have ad blocker on you may not see the link:

Kathleen Costa is a long-time resident of the Central Valley, and although born in Idaho, she considers herself a “California Girl.” Graduating from CSU-Sacramento, she is a 35+ year veteran teacher having taught in grades 1-8 in schools from Sacramento to Los Angeles to Stockton to Lodi. Currently Kathleen is enjoying her retirement revitalizing hobbies along with exploring writing, reading for pleasure, and spending 24/7 with her husband.

Disclosure: This post contains links to an affiliate program, for which we receive a few cents if you make purchases. KRL also receives free copies of most of the books that it reviews, that are provided in exchange for an honest review of the book.

Tagged as: book, Coffee, Mocha and Murder, mystery, Tonya Kappes