"Cappuccino Criminal" By Tonya Kappes: Review/Giveaway

Review by Kathleen Costa

Details at the end of this post on how to enter to win a copy of the book and a link to purchase it. 

Caffeinated Conundrums! Roxy Bloom has come a long way since she moved back to Honey Springs, Kentucky, a few years ago and opened her own coffeehouse called The Bean Hive. Now, she’s Mrs. Roxy Cane, having married her long ago summer love Patrick Cane, and with her schnauzer Pepper and his poodle Sassy, they are a family. Overlooking the lake, her coffeehouse and, now roastery, is center stage on the town’s boardwalk, plugged into all the goings on, where everyone pops in for a signature blend, homemade treat, and all the current gossip. With her mom Penny, her aunt Maxi, and a diverse group of friends, Roxy loves living in Honey Springs. So, no wonder others would like the opportunity to live, work, and vacation here; it’s a developer’s paradise.


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Cappuccino Criminal Earns
5/5 Roasted Beans … Clever & Engaging Gem!

Honey Springs is a goldmine with parcels of land in and around the woods and the lake providing the perfect opportunity for development. The area, just outside town, is being assessed by Blackburn Associates as a possible location for a new country club, and Leander Taylor is the lead real estate agent handling the deal. Danielle Quillen, an environmentalist, has been hired to evaluate the property, but she’s discovered an issue that could be a deal breaker for the residents. Her recommendation to rethink the property is not appreciated by Taylor who punctuates his objections with a public scene in the middle of Roxy’s busy morning coffee rush. So, with a multi-million dollar project on the line, who’s the prime suspect when Leander’s body is found? The developer, several investors, the environmentalist, competing real estate agents, or someone hoping to cash in on the project? Roxy has her work cut out for her.

And This One Makes a Dozen! Tonya Kappes added a delightfully fun cozy mystery to her Killer Coffee Mystery series to make it an even dozen. With developers, environmentalists, and community members taking sides, it’s hard to see who was upset enough to resort to murdering the man who originally brought the lucrative project to the area. But, the environment has a delicate balance needing to be maintained, so did murder balance the scales? Roxy’s years as an attorney gives her a unique skill set, including that as a lawyer in the interrogation room, and her informal investigation and method of compiling clues are realistically managed; I greatly appreciate that. She has a “quid pro quo” collaboration with the sheriff, which is a element I enjoy. In her snooping, she uncovers a few more people effected by the abandoning of the development project which seemed to come down to money, dreams destroyed, and even reputations on the line, all challenging my arm-chair detective, something I appreciate. Add coffee drinking, friends gathering, perusing the shops, and a bit of personal jeopardy, the final arrest punctuated a fun read!

I’ll Have a Recipe, Please! Always a favorite extra, Tonya Kappes adds a couple of easy-to-follow Recipes from The Bean Hive: Maple Bacon Coffee (Wow, bacon and coffee … a morning delight!), Hot Honey Almond Milk Flat White, and Appalachian Summer Bread (Infused with honeysuckle. In the story more details are included.).

Be a Big Fan of Tonya Kappes! USA Today bestselling author Tonya Kappes pens a variety of series. She has my favorite, the Camper & Criminals Cozy series, along with the Mail Carrier Cozy Mystery, but you can also get exciting ghostly-, magical-, and caffeinated-themed series. For ghosts, she has Ghostly Southern Mystery and Kenni Lowry series. Add some magic with her Southern Magical Mystery, Magical Cures Mystery, and Spies and Spells series. And finally, get a little caffeinated with this marvelous Killer Coffee Mystery. She also has an enjoyable online presence and various events enticing fans to gather to talk, share, and partake in the fun!

Facebook – Author Tonya Kappes

Join the “Cozy Krew”

Become a Member at the Website – Tonya Kappes

YouTube — Tonya Kappes

Enjoy a Quick Sip! Check out the first chapter of the eighth book in Tonya Kappes’ Killer Coffee Mystery, Dead to the Last Drop, featured in the January, 2021, podcast episode and read by local actor Ariel Linn. You can listen HERE.

Enter to win either an ebook or print (winner's choice) copy of Cappuccino Criminal by Tonya Kappes by making a comment below about coffee & southernisms: (1) a favorite coffee concoction, (2) your favorite coffeehouse destination, or (3) are you pro- nature preserve or pro-upscale resort? or simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line "criminal.”  A winner will be chosen June 3, 2023. US residents only and you must be 18 or older to enter. If entering via email please include your mailing address in case you win. If entering via comment please include your email address so we can contact you. You can read our privacy statement here if you like.

Check out other mystery articles, reviews, book giveaways & mystery short stories in our mystery section in Kings River Life and in our mystery category here on KRL News & Reviews. And join our mystery Facebook group to keep up with everything mystery we post, and have a chance at some extra giveaways. And check out our new mystery podcast which features mystery short stories and first chapters read by local actors! A new episode goes up soon.

You can use this link to purchase the book or click here. If you have adblocker on you may not be able to see the Amazon 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.

Comments

  1. I like to put espresso on ice cream.

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  2. I hear a lot of good things about this author. I don't really drink coffee but I don't mind reading about it!
    kozo8989@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  3. I don't drink coffee, but I love reading books about coffee. I would go for an upscale resort. Thanks for your great generosity. Maycarlson6848@gmail.com

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  4. I love Tonya's books! I am just a coffee with cream person and I'm more of a pro-resort person.
    I prefer a print copy.
    diannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com
    )

    ReplyDelete
  5. I enjoy expresso with Rum Chatta! tWarner419@aol.com

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  6. I would love to have a print copy of Cappuccino Criminal. It sounds like a delicious read!

    Nancy
    allibrary (at) aol (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  7. 1)I like coffee with a sweet cream,2) I'd rather save money and drink at home and 3) I love both. I love camping and being at a resort if I'm around the ocean.

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  8. Cappuccino Criminal count me in. Prefer print copy. Love good medium or dark roast with heavy cream. Yum! Maple bacon sounds intriguing. Coffee anytime, anywhere!
    Princesscoco74 (at) gmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  9. Cappuccino Criminal count me in. Prefer print copy. Love good medium or dark roast with heavy cream. Yum! Maple bacon sounds intriguing. Coffee anytime, anywhere!
    Princesscoco74 (at) gmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  10. My favorite drink is a white chocolate mocha with extra expresso! I'm a big fan of camping but love a good resort by the beach! girltrucker_1971@yahoo[dot]com

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  11. I do not drink coffee but I love Tonya Kappes's books.

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  12. We have a winner!
    Lorie Ham

    ReplyDelete

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