Happy Labor Day, Reader Friends!
I hope this day finds you relaxing with a good book in your hand. If not, may I make a suggestion. Check out Angela Ruth Strong’s A Caffeine Conundrum. This book released September 1st!
About the Book
The Blurb: “Solving a murder mystery is harder when you don’t trust your partner…or their taste in beverages.
Sassy city girl Tandy Brandt moves to the small town of Grace Springs to start a coffee shop, never imagining she’ll be competing with local beauty queen Marissa Alexander and her dream of running a tea house. Unfortunately, the current store owner dies before selling the location to either of them, and they both become murder suspects.
The unlikely pair team up in an attempt to discover the real killer, though with the secrets in Tandy’s past and Marissa’s infamous clumsiness, they could be their own worst enemies. Despite their differences, they follow clues to question a sweet, apple pie baking antique store owner, a GQ Santa in the retirement center, and a hipster millionaire with no social skills. Will they be able to figure out whodunit and prove their innocence before one of them goes to jail…or worse?”
My Thoughts
A Caffeine Conundrum is a quirky, laughable, cozy mystery. I don’t read cozy mysteries that often but I did have some basic exceptions. I expected a murder, a local sleuth, and some who dunnit exploits.
I loved how Ms. Strong put her own twist on the genre. First, she had me laughing at the antics of Marissa. Famous for her clumsiness, I felt a connection with her. As a person who has been known to hurt herself a lot (not always because I have a book in hand), Marissa’s character made me laugh. I also felt for her because she had a lot of baggage in her past that I prayed she would shed.
And Tandy…well the girl needed a hug and a friend, probably in that order. Her steadfastness and logic in solving the crime kept my want to solve mystery brain active. Which brings me to the whodunnit aspect. I don’t know about you, but I read mysteries to try my hand at sleuthing. And Ms. Strong kept my brain hopping and my sleuthing skills came up wanting. I didn’t guess correctly and was shock to find out whodunnit.
All in all, I enjoyed this cozy mystery and look forward to more books in the series.
Oh and I’m a tea girl all the way. What about you?
*I received a free copy from the publisher. This review is my own, honest opinion and was not required of me.
About the Author
Angela Ruth Strong published her debut novel, Love Finds You in Sun Valley, Idaho, in 2010, and has since had her books selected for TOP PICK by Romantic Times Magazine and in development for film. This Amazon Bestseller and Cascade Award winner also started IDAhope Writers to encourage other aspiring authors. She currently lives in Meridian with her husband and teenagers where she teaches yoga and works as a ticket agent for an airline when not writing.
Toni Shiloh 