Scene of the Grind by Tonya Kappes

Scene of the Grind

by Tonya Kappes

Series: Killer Coffee Mystery Series #1
Series Rating:
on January 27, 2017
Genres: Cozy Culinary Mystery
Pages: 223
Format: Kindle
Goodreads
Get Your Copy at: Amazon
Also in this series: A Charming Blend: A Magical Cures Mystery and A Killer Coffee Mystery Crossover Mystery, A Killer Latte

After a bitter divorce, Roxanne Davis (her friends, though few call her Roxie) has moved back home to Honey Springs, Kentucky where she's opened the tourist lakefront town's first coffee house, The Bean Hive.
With the excitement of the Bean Hive opening and rush of business, Roxie is moving on with her life until she finds that one of her best customers, Lilia Walters, was found dead after eating one of Roxie's best-selling doughnuts after Roxie's aunt Maxine gave Lilia as a peace offering.
Gossip in Honey Springs is as hot at the coffee served at the Bean Hive and Roxie has to uncover who is behind the murder not only to save her shop, her aunt, but her life.

Aunt Maxi didn’t murder Alexis. Right?

Scene of the Grind by Tonya Kappes is the first book in the A Killer Coffee Mystery series. I love the charm, wit, and tenacity of the characters. The setting in Honey Springs, Kentucky is excellent. The little boardwalk area is nice and reminds me of summers at the lake.

Our Sleuth

Roxanne Bloom, Roxy to her friends, is the owner of The Bean Hive. She recently returned to Honey Springs, Kentucky to open the coffee shop at her Aunt Maxi’s request. Since Roxy divorced her cheating husband a little over a year ago, she decided to take her aunt up on the offer. In her former life, Roxy was a lawyer in New York, but she loves coffee and cooking.

Roxy makes these lovely dishes that she sales with the coffee at her coffeehouse. The recipes are included. They sound yummy!

I think that Roxy is marvelous. She is smart, not afraid of hard work, and she is embracing the changes in her life.

The victim

Alexis Roarke owns the Crooked Cat Bookstore on the boardwalk. She is upset with Aunt Maxi for raising her rent. Also, something about zoning changes to the boardwalk. Aunt Maxi is a council member.

Roxy has fawned memories of Alexis, and the Crooked Cat Bookstores from her summers spent with her aunt. So, Roxy wants to become better acquainted with Alexis. However, when Roxy finds the body, Aunt Maxi is the number one suspect.

We don’t get to know Alexis well as she dies reasonably early in the story. However, I would love spending time in the Crooked Cat Bookstore.

Mystery

Secrets are everywhere, even in this small town. Alexis has secrets that even her daughter doesn’t know. It was fun to watch Roxy figure out who actually killed Alexis.

There are many characters in this small town, and quite a few of them had the opportunity to knock off Alexis. But Roxy was looking for the motive. Oh, and boy there were lots of red herrings.

I didn’t figure it out until the killer was right in front of Roxy. I love it when the killer is a surprise.

My favorite Character

Bunny Bowowski is my favorite. She is an elderly lady, who likes to be busy. Bunny and her best friend Mae Belle Donovan are like the town gossips. If you want to know what is going on just hang out with them. She has grit and can give that ole Baptist nod (if you don’t know what that is, you’ll have to read the book).

Bunny volunteers at the Pet Palace, and she is part of the craft club. She is also steamed at Aunt Maxi who is believed to be going after Bunny’s man. Bunny and Roxy get along so well that Roxy hires her to work at the Bean Hive. I can tell she is going to be a fun one.

5 Stars for Scene of the Grind by Tonya Kappes

My rating for Scene of the Grind by Tonya Kappes is five stars. I loved the whole story, characters, Honey Springs, mystery, and the recipes. This series is one that I will be reading more. I highly recommend this book.

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