I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy from Great Escapes Book Tours. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Bowled Over Americano
by Carolyn Arnold
Series: Sara and Sean Cozy Mystery Series #1
Series Rating:
Published by Hibbert & Stiles Publishing Inc. on April 11, 2023
Setting: New York
Genres: Cozy Mystery
Pages: 263
Format: Kindle
Source: Great Escapes Book Tours
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Also in this series: Wedding Bells Brew Murder
Sara Cain isn't your typical thirty-two-year-old woman. Murder detective by day, writer and… sleuth by night? Just as long as there’s enough coffee to keep her going…
When her first novel gives her trouble, Sara goes for a walk to clear her writer’s block and ends up stumbling right into a real-life murder mystery. Magnum, an adventurous beagle, comes running off leash toward her in the local park, and she returns him home only to find his master dead on the entry floor.
Cliff Cunningham was a championship bowler with a mean streak and a temper, and police are pegging his Golden Pin bowling trophy as the murder weapon. While any number of people could have clocked a strike by knocking him on the noggin, the prime suspect is a friend of Sara’s mother—and she expects Sara to prove the woman’s innocence. A tall order, as the case isn’t officially hers and belongs to a rival detective.
But a promise is a promise, and Sara soon finds herself sleuthing undercover—and off the clock—in a world of polyester shirts and rental shoes. It’s not all bad, though, as she’s taking her friend and partner Sean McKinley along for the ride. They are better together than they’ve ever been split, and they’re not amateurs at finding killers.
Despite being up against small-town hijinks and colorful characters who threaten to roll their efforts into the gutter, they are having fun. That is, until they get close to the killer and a dangerous twist puts their lives at risk.
A completely addictive caper full of twists that offers up a serving of murder, a dollop of romance, and a dash of humor. This perfect blend of robust and sweet is bound to hit the spot with readers who are fans of Verity Bright, Tonya Kappes, and Agatha Frost.
Bowled Over Americano by Carolyn Arnold lets us see within the lives of two detectives fighting their feelings for each other.
Will Sara and Sean have a happily ever after?
Sara and Sean are the two main characters and love interests. Sean has been with Albany PD since he was a rookie and always knew he wanted to be a cop. The reason is that his father was one, and he wanted to become one to honor his father’s legacy. Sean has been a good cop all these years and is good at catching bad guys and putting them away.
Sara was a cop in her small hometown that isn’t that far away from Albany but enough away to make her parents worry about her. She has only been a detective at Albany PD for two years, and within that time, she has learned a lot. Sara has started to write a book about a sleuth and continues to work on it. Sean and Sara are pretty good together as detectives and want something more. Except they can’t because cops can’t date each other if they stay partners.
I love how the two of them interact with each other and how everyone around them suspects they are a couple when they aren’t. Sara and Sean are a great team, and I hope that continues within the other books.
The Mystery
Sara and Sean have two different mysteries that they are solving. One is part of their job as detectives, and the other is who killed Cliff Cunningham. Sara and Sean are trying to solve a case of an investor getting killed at his office, which is sad. Sara’s mom begged her to take the other one, which Sara stumbled on when she found Magnum running around loose. So, Sara takes it and brings Sean to help her solve it. They are partners, and it is what they do, plus Sean likes to spend time around Sara.
I have to say that I did fall for the red herring on the Cliff Cunningham investigation. Then again, the clues didn’t fall into place until Sara and Sean put them together. Ms. Arnold got me good on this one!
Five Stars
Bowled Over Americano by Carolyn Arnold is a fantastic start to a new series. I must confess I did read the second book when a different publishing company published it, but it was many books ago that I don’t remember the book much. Reading this first book makes me want to read this entire series as it is being republished, as it is so good. Ms. Arnold’s excellent writing style immerses you in the characters’ world and makes you want to finish the book. Especially to find out who did kill the bowling champion.
I am giving five stars to Bowled Over Americano by Carolyn Arnold and recommending it to anyone interested in a great and wholesome cozy mystery.
Giveaway
Prize: A customized paperback copy of Bowled Over Americano
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About Carolyn Arnold
CAROLYN ARNOLD is an international bestselling and award-winning author, as well as a speaker, teacher, and inspirational mentor. She has four continuing fiction series—Detective Madison Knight, Brandon Fisher FBI, McKinley Mysteries, and Matthew Connor Adventures—and has written nearly thirty books. Her genre diversity offers her readers everything from cozy to hard-boiled mysteries, and thrillers to action adventures.
Both her female detective and FBI profiler series have been praised by those in law enforcement as being accurate and entertaining, leading her to adopt the trademark: POLICE PROCEDURALS RESPECTED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT™.
Carolyn was born in a small town and enjoys spending time outdoors, but she also loves the lights of a big city. Grounded by her roots and lifted by her dreams, her overactive imagination insists that she tell her stories. Her intention is to touch the hearts of millions with her books, to entertain, inspire, and empower.
She currently lives just west of Toronto with her husband and beagle and is a member of Crime Writers of Canada.
Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- 2023 Beachcombers Mystery RC
- 2023 Cloak and Dagger
- 2023 Craving the Cozies
- 2023 Cruisin' thru the Cozies
- 2023 Goodreads RC
- 2023 Medical Examiner RC
Great cover! Looks like a great book. Looking forward to reading it.