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LAST SIP at the LOST CORNER
Nothing Ruins Your Morning Joe like a Murder
For small-town barista Josie Malloy, it was supposed to be just another day. But when she stops by her Aunt Mae’s coffee shop that night for a forgotten item, she stumbles upon a shocking a dead body. To make matters worse, the victim is Matt Black—the community’s most despised man and Mae’s bitter nemesis. Unfortunately, the police quickly name Mae their prime suspect thanks to several nasty, very loud, past arguments between them.
Determined to prove Mae’s innocence, Josie dives headfirst into the investigation. But Matt has no shortage of enemies. Was it his bored trophy wife? His angry teenage stepdaughter? The carpenter he cheated out of money? Or perhaps the handsome and mysterious Sean Abbott, Black’s newest neighbor? Not that Josie’s interested in Sean. Nope, not at all.
When Sean offers to help clear Mae’s name, Joise considers her options and reluctantly accepts. Together, they discover dark secrets about Matt Black, including whether he murdered his first wife. Yet, the closer they get to the truth, the higher the stakes become. Matt’s killer is still out there, and if they’re not careful, Josie and Sean could be next.
For small-town barista Josie Malloy, it was supposed to be just another day. But when she stops by her Aunt Mae’s coffee shop that night for a forgotten item, she stumbles upon a shocking a dead body. To make matters worse, the victim is Matt Black—the community’s most despised man and Mae’s bitter nemesis. Unfortunately, the police quickly name Mae their prime suspect thanks to several nasty, very loud, past arguments between them.
Determined to prove Mae’s innocence, Josie dives headfirst into the investigation. But Matt has no shortage of enemies. Was it his bored trophy wife? His angry teenage stepdaughter? The carpenter he cheated out of money? Or perhaps the handsome and mysterious Sean Abbott, Black’s newest neighbor? Not that Josie’s interested in Sean. Nope, not at all.
When Sean offers to help clear Mae’s name, Joise considers her options and reluctantly accepts. Together, they discover dark secrets about Matt Black, including whether he murdered his first wife. Yet, the closer they get to the truth, the higher the stakes become. Matt’s killer is still out there, and if they’re not careful, Josie and Sean could be next.
334 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 23, 2025
3 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
September 18, 2025
If you like coffee and mystery like I do you will love this book! The storyline is cute and predictable with a little romance. Josie and Sean uncover more than they planned along the way! No spoilers here! Read the book!
September 23, 2025
Nora LeDuc understood the assignment: write a cozy mystery sprinkled with intrigue and hazard, include a cast of well-developed characters, and add in a plot with just enough twists to keep the reader at the edge of their seat.
When her aunt is the prime suspect in a murder, Josie Malloy springs into action to prove her innocence. And if that means pairing with the handsome newcomer Sean Abbott, the murder victim’s new neighbor, well that’s a sacrifice she’s willing to make.
Last Sip at the Lost Corner contains a cast of characters I didn’t want to leave. Josie’s aunts, her friends—and even her mother—all became very real in my mind. LeDuc’s writing demonstrated the love, and of course, the quirkiness, of the close-knit family. And the icing on the cake? Their love of animals.
The romantic element to the story was just enough. It flowed seamlessly with the plot as well as the character development of Josie. I rooted for Josie and Sean to trust each other.
Then, there’s the mystery itself. Who killed Matt Black? The author gave us plenty of characters to suspect, dislike, and accuse. Which kept me pointing my finger at someone different every couple of pages.
And when Josie finally closed in on the real killer, the heightened suspense of the final scenes were the perfect closure to the story.
Last Sip at the Lost Corner will delight both cozy mystery readers as well as those who are searching for a romantic subplot with fresh, believable characters. Grab yourself a cup of coffee and prepare to enjoy an exceptional story.
My Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by: Terry
This review first appeared: https://substack.com/@nnlightsbookhea...
When her aunt is the prime suspect in a murder, Josie Malloy springs into action to prove her innocence. And if that means pairing with the handsome newcomer Sean Abbott, the murder victim’s new neighbor, well that’s a sacrifice she’s willing to make.
Last Sip at the Lost Corner contains a cast of characters I didn’t want to leave. Josie’s aunts, her friends—and even her mother—all became very real in my mind. LeDuc’s writing demonstrated the love, and of course, the quirkiness, of the close-knit family. And the icing on the cake? Their love of animals.
The romantic element to the story was just enough. It flowed seamlessly with the plot as well as the character development of Josie. I rooted for Josie and Sean to trust each other.
Then, there’s the mystery itself. Who killed Matt Black? The author gave us plenty of characters to suspect, dislike, and accuse. Which kept me pointing my finger at someone different every couple of pages.
And when Josie finally closed in on the real killer, the heightened suspense of the final scenes were the perfect closure to the story.
Last Sip at the Lost Corner will delight both cozy mystery readers as well as those who are searching for a romantic subplot with fresh, believable characters. Grab yourself a cup of coffee and prepare to enjoy an exceptional story.
My Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by: Terry
This review first appeared: https://substack.com/@nnlightsbookhea...
August 28, 2025
Nora LeDue’s Last Sip at the Lost Corner is an atmospheric, character-driven novel set in a small-town bar that feels like both refuge and confessional. At the heart of the story is Stella, a woman grappling with loss and change while navigating the complex web of friendships, betrayals, and long-held secrets that bind the town together.
The strength of the book lies in its characters. LeDue paints them with nuance—Stella’s resilience and vulnerability make her instantly relatable, while the supporting cast, from the broken dreamers to the hopeful misfits, all carry weight and depth. Their stories overlap and clash in ways that feel authentic, capturing the messy beauty of human connection.
The writing balances warmth and grit, humor and heartbreak, creating a world where the bar itself becomes more than a backdrop—it’s the stage for confession, conflict, and unexpected redemption.
Poignant and quietly powerful, this is a novel about community, resilience, and finding a way forward when the past refuses to stay buried. A perfect pick for readers who enjoy heartfelt, character-driven stories set in places that feel as real as home.
I received an advance copy of this book and am leaving this review voluntarily.
The strength of the book lies in its characters. LeDue paints them with nuance—Stella’s resilience and vulnerability make her instantly relatable, while the supporting cast, from the broken dreamers to the hopeful misfits, all carry weight and depth. Their stories overlap and clash in ways that feel authentic, capturing the messy beauty of human connection.
The writing balances warmth and grit, humor and heartbreak, creating a world where the bar itself becomes more than a backdrop—it’s the stage for confession, conflict, and unexpected redemption.
Poignant and quietly powerful, this is a novel about community, resilience, and finding a way forward when the past refuses to stay buried. A perfect pick for readers who enjoy heartfelt, character-driven stories set in places that feel as real as home.
I received an advance copy of this book and am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 22, 2025
For me, this book had the potential to be a great book. The plot and setting are interesting. For me, though, there were a few issues. The main character, Josie, is an adult. I don't remember if it ever says exactly how old she is, but I'd guess around 30. Yet, her and her friends kind of act like they are around half that age. They just seem really immature throughout the book.
The second issue, and the bigger one for me, was that the conversations often felt off. Some of them felt overly formal. Sometimes, they also felt repetitive, where a character would say something and then they would rephrase it a little later. Others felt like the author was trying to provide information through the conversations, but the way the people talked didn't feel like the way that people would talk.
This book does include one swear word. I'm pretty sure it was only one swear word, and it was near the end of the book. Other than that, it's a clean novel with no sexual content or graphic violence. The violence is behind the scenes.
I got a free ARC through BookSirens, and I left a voluntary review.
The second issue, and the bigger one for me, was that the conversations often felt off. Some of them felt overly formal. Sometimes, they also felt repetitive, where a character would say something and then they would rephrase it a little later. Others felt like the author was trying to provide information through the conversations, but the way the people talked didn't feel like the way that people would talk.
This book does include one swear word. I'm pretty sure it was only one swear word, and it was near the end of the book. Other than that, it's a clean novel with no sexual content or graphic violence. The violence is behind the scenes.
I got a free ARC through BookSirens, and I left a voluntary review.
September 7, 2025
The discovery of a dead body at the side door to the Lost Corner Cafe does not bode well for the ailing enterprise or Mae, its proprietress. And, while Josie Malloy knows her Aunt Mae didn't commit murder, the police seem to think that a series of arguments between Mae and Matt Black is a substantial motive. With the help of her friends, including newcomer Sean Simpson, Josie sets out to find the real killer.
I was immediately struck by the strong ties between Josie and her family; it was a highlight of the book and established a warm tone for the story. This was so necessary, as the story that unfolded had some nail-biting moments.
The plot did not rush to its conclusion. It meandered delightfully as Josie considered her suspect pool and narrowed down her choices. Her dedication to saving both her aunt and the cafe was admirable.
With a gorgeous setting and a strong mystery, this cosy sets a high standard.
Thank you to Nora LeDuc and BookSirens for the opportunity to read this digital ARC. As always, my opinions are my own, honest and true.
I was immediately struck by the strong ties between Josie and her family; it was a highlight of the book and established a warm tone for the story. This was so necessary, as the story that unfolded had some nail-biting moments.
The plot did not rush to its conclusion. It meandered delightfully as Josie considered her suspect pool and narrowed down her choices. Her dedication to saving both her aunt and the cafe was admirable.
With a gorgeous setting and a strong mystery, this cosy sets a high standard.
Thank you to Nora LeDuc and BookSirens for the opportunity to read this digital ARC. As always, my opinions are my own, honest and true.
September 5, 2025
I really enjoyed Last Sip at the Lost Corner — it’s a cozy mystery with surprising intensity and a suspenseful edge. Josie, the main character, is a strong and determined sleuth with a close-knit family, especially her Aunt Mae. Together, they find themselves entangled in the murder of a truly awful man, and with their own personal struggles and strained finances, the stakes feel high.
I loved how the mystery unfolded with twists and tension that kept me guessing. Josie’s pursuit of the truth brought her face to face with danger — including a killer trying to set her up.
This book is perfect when you're in the mood to put on your "sleuthing cap." It's engaging, well-paced, and full of characters you want to root for. I look forward to reading more mysteries by Ms. LeDuc.
I received a free advance copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving my honest opinion.
I loved how the mystery unfolded with twists and tension that kept me guessing. Josie’s pursuit of the truth brought her face to face with danger — including a killer trying to set her up.
This book is perfect when you're in the mood to put on your "sleuthing cap." It's engaging, well-paced, and full of characters you want to root for. I look forward to reading more mysteries by Ms. LeDuc.
I received a free advance copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving my honest opinion.
August 31, 2025
This one got pretty intense for a cozy mystery, but I was all in and here for it. Josie is a tenacious hunter for the truth, and that brings her face to face with a local killer who set her up to take the fall. The high anxiety and worry I had while reading this all engrossing, suspenseful read. It was a twisted path to the truth, but never fear Josie's on the case and had a romance too!! I voluntarily read a free copy of this book provided by book sirens and am giving an honest review.
August 31, 2025
Last Sip at the Lost Corner is A novel by Nora Le Duc. I enjoyed this cozy mystery. Josie is a wonderful character with a strong family. Josie and her Aunt Mae had a problem with Matt and when he was murdered, Aunt Mae was on the police radar. I think that this is an enjoyable read when you want to put on your sleuthing cap. I received an arc for free and am leaving my review voluntarily.
September 3, 2025
This is a good mystery. Solving this case wouldn't be easy.
Josie and her aunts were implicated in the murder of a truly awful man. With financial problems that they couldn't solve and the mystery what would they do?
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Josie and her aunts were implicated in the murder of a truly awful man. With financial problems that they couldn't solve and the mystery what would they do?
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 10, 2025
Josie Malloy is horrified when she comes across a dead body and this was someone who was not one of her Aunt Mae's friends. Her Aunt becoming the prime suspect has Josie going after the truth. Therebis more to this murder than it seemed. An intriguing read with lots of suspense with an edge of the seat read. I received this ARC copy via Booksirans and recommend this book to other readers.
August 29, 2025
WOW, I was captured from the first chapter, and I was stumped by the killer!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews