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Cape Bay Cafe Mystery #7
Espressos, Eggnogs, and Evil Exes
On New Year's Day, Fran takes her dog Latte on a walk. Luck of all luck, she finds a dead blonde on the sidewalk—right outside Ryan's house. Sammy, Fran's best friend, has been staying with Ryan, and she becomes the police's number one suspect.
The victim was Ryan's ex-girlfriend, an out-of-towner who has been secretly terrorizing and stalking Sammy. Sammy's DNA has been found on her body, so the police think she has motive for killing the ex. Everyone in town knows Sammy wouldn't hurt a fly, but Detective Mike Stanton has been thrown off the case, and a tough detective from Boston takes over who is convinced Sammy is the killer.
Fran can't just sit back and watch her best friend—and the café's best latte maker—go to jail.
The victim was Ryan's ex-girlfriend, an out-of-towner who has been secretly terrorizing and stalking Sammy. Sammy's DNA has been found on her body, so the police think she has motive for killing the ex. Everyone in town knows Sammy wouldn't hurt a fly, but Detective Mike Stanton has been thrown off the case, and a tough detective from Boston takes over who is convinced Sammy is the killer.
Fran can't just sit back and watch her best friend—and the café's best latte maker—go to jail.
246 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 7, 2018
122 people are currently reading
605 people want to read
About the author
Harper Lin
91 books935 followersHarper Lin is the 3x USA Today Bestselling Author of several popular cozy mystery series—8 and counting!
When she’s not reading or writing mysteries, she loves going to yoga class, hiking, and baking with friends and family.
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www.harperlin.com
When she’s not reading or writing mysteries, she loves going to yoga class, hiking, and baking with friends and family.
Be the first to hear about early bird discounts and new book releases by signing up for Harper's Newsletter: https://goo.gl/R7XmFR
www.harperlin.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 139 reviews
July 7, 2019
After a New Year's Eve party Fran discovers Sammy is being stalked and harassed by Cheryl, Ryan's evil ex. While Fran thinks Sammy should report the harassment, Sammy doesn't want to be "that girl." When Latte wants to go out early in the morning, Fran, barely awake and hung over, lets Latte wander through backyards until he sniffs out something unusual. The body of a woman is lying on the frozen ground face down. Fran believes the woman fell asleep outside after a wild night but when she gets closer, she discovers the woman is dead- probably murdered! Fran's scream wakes Ryan, whose yard the body is found in, and Sammy, who has spent the night. The body belongs to Cheryl and the police zero in on Sammy as the killer! Fran knows Sammy would never hurt a fly, literally, let alone kill someone but Mike is off the case for his failure to solve any of the previous murders (and also for being too close to Sammy) and obviously Ryan can't take this one either since he and Sammy seem to be an official couple. It's up to Fran to discover who killed Cheryl and save Sammy from jail. This may be Fran's toughest case yet!
This is the best mystery to date. It's impossible to solve. Of course it's a novel and there are only a limited number of characters and obviously Sammy didn't do it, so I suppose readers COULD figure it out, but putting myself in Fran's head and only allowing myself to think about what clues she uncovered or lack thereof, made this mystery impossible to figure out. I was beginning to think Matt's theory was correct! What I don't understand is why the detective was so awful in accusing Sammy without even considering other suspects. This is modern day America and while Cape Bay may not have the resources for forensics, surely the state police do. OK we know Cheryl was strangled to death by a pair of small, gloved hands. Small covers a lot of territory. Can't they measure the marks and determine the exact size? Where are the gloves? Wouldn't they have Cheryl's DNA on them? Is Ryan Sammy's only alibi? Why doesn't anyone consider these things? The state officer is about as incompetent as he believes Mike to be.
The cozy is kept fairly to a minimum. There are some interactions between Fran and Matt but not as many as usual. Sammy and Ryan are still secretive about their relationship and I feel that it's not anyone's business to put a label on it or speculate. There's not much Cape Bay in this novel as Cheryl was an outsider. Fran has to travel to Plymouth to investigate. It's a cozy mystery since Fran is an amateur and the mystery is pretty light. I was pleased Latte discovered the body but then Fran leaves him with Matt to go off and investigate. The cafe is closed a lot in this book and it's slow because of winter. Other that those things, I really enjoyed the mystery.
Fran behaves better here. She knows Sammy well and doesn't sit around to be asked to be a character witness at Sammy's trial. Fran could put herself and Sammy in jeopardy going off to Plymouth but she behaves responsibly when it comes time to catch a killer. She has Mike's grudging support on this one. She's rather naive though and thinks just because someone is nice they can't be a killer. She should know better by now! Sammy is a sweetheart who always thinks positively and could never kill any living creature. She'd be more likely to mourn Cheryl even though the woman was harassing Sammy all the time. I like how private Sammy and Ryan are in their relationship. In a small town of nosy people, they are right to have something for themselves. The sleepover could have been innocent, like it's past midnight and Ryan put his cop hat on and didn't want Sammy to go home alone, but they do seem to be a couple. It's been obvious for awhile and no one deserves a great guy like Ryan more than Sammy. Ryan is kind and gentle, just what Sammy needs after her loser ex and she is what he needs after the drama of Cheryl.
Something was not right in Cheryl's head. Her relationships with men were creepy and her relationships with their new girlfriends even creepier. I feel somewhat sorry for her after meeting her mother but a friend or two needed to sit her down and say that behavior is not cool. It sounds like she was either someone people loved or hated but not in-between. Who hated her enough to kill her? The list is, sadly, long and I don't understand why the police didn't ask the same questions.
The new detective from the state police is an arrogant jerk who looks down his nose at "soft" small town people. He likes his coffee black and insists on paying for it. Free coffee is a bribe he isn't going to take. Obviously he doesn't understand small town hospitality. Mike may be a bit gruff but he cares about Fran and wants to keep her safe. He's trying to look at the case objectively from a cop's standpoint but again, I wonder why he didn't ask the right questions. Was he afraid of being accused of bias or he didn't want to get in trouble because it wasn't his case? At least Ryan was unofficially helpful.
I am eager to see what happens next for Fran, Matt, Sammy and Ryan. My library does not yet have the newest mysteries. I had to get this one with my audible free trial.
This is the best mystery to date. It's impossible to solve. Of course it's a novel and there are only a limited number of characters and obviously Sammy didn't do it, so I suppose readers COULD figure it out, but putting myself in Fran's head and only allowing myself to think about what clues she uncovered or lack thereof, made this mystery impossible to figure out. I was beginning to think Matt's theory was correct! What I don't understand is why the detective was so awful in accusing Sammy without even considering other suspects. This is modern day America and while Cape Bay may not have the resources for forensics, surely the state police do. OK we know Cheryl was strangled to death by a pair of small, gloved hands. Small covers a lot of territory. Can't they measure the marks and determine the exact size? Where are the gloves? Wouldn't they have Cheryl's DNA on them? Is Ryan Sammy's only alibi? Why doesn't anyone consider these things? The state officer is about as incompetent as he believes Mike to be.
The cozy is kept fairly to a minimum. There are some interactions between Fran and Matt but not as many as usual. Sammy and Ryan are still secretive about their relationship and I feel that it's not anyone's business to put a label on it or speculate. There's not much Cape Bay in this novel as Cheryl was an outsider. Fran has to travel to Plymouth to investigate. It's a cozy mystery since Fran is an amateur and the mystery is pretty light. I was pleased Latte discovered the body but then Fran leaves him with Matt to go off and investigate. The cafe is closed a lot in this book and it's slow because of winter. Other that those things, I really enjoyed the mystery.
Fran behaves better here. She knows Sammy well and doesn't sit around to be asked to be a character witness at Sammy's trial. Fran could put herself and Sammy in jeopardy going off to Plymouth but she behaves responsibly when it comes time to catch a killer. She has Mike's grudging support on this one. She's rather naive though and thinks just because someone is nice they can't be a killer. She should know better by now! Sammy is a sweetheart who always thinks positively and could never kill any living creature. She'd be more likely to mourn Cheryl even though the woman was harassing Sammy all the time. I like how private Sammy and Ryan are in their relationship. In a small town of nosy people, they are right to have something for themselves. The sleepover could have been innocent, like it's past midnight and Ryan put his cop hat on and didn't want Sammy to go home alone, but they do seem to be a couple. It's been obvious for awhile and no one deserves a great guy like Ryan more than Sammy. Ryan is kind and gentle, just what Sammy needs after her loser ex and she is what he needs after the drama of Cheryl.
Something was not right in Cheryl's head. Her relationships with men were creepy and her relationships with their new girlfriends even creepier. I feel somewhat sorry for her after meeting her mother but a friend or two needed to sit her down and say that behavior is not cool. It sounds like she was either someone people loved or hated but not in-between. Who hated her enough to kill her? The list is, sadly, long and I don't understand why the police didn't ask the same questions.
The new detective from the state police is an arrogant jerk who looks down his nose at "soft" small town people. He likes his coffee black and insists on paying for it. Free coffee is a bribe he isn't going to take. Obviously he doesn't understand small town hospitality. Mike may be a bit gruff but he cares about Fran and wants to keep her safe. He's trying to look at the case objectively from a cop's standpoint but again, I wonder why he didn't ask the right questions. Was he afraid of being accused of bias or he didn't want to get in trouble because it wasn't his case? At least Ryan was unofficially helpful.
I am eager to see what happens next for Fran, Matt, Sammy and Ryan. My library does not yet have the newest mysteries. I had to get this one with my audible free trial.
August 24, 2024
Love the characters and the town.
August 29, 2020
I’m actually still reading this one. I love this whole Cape Bay series and plant to read them all. The characters feel like friends and I’m enjoying all the storylines and mystery.
July 2, 2024
Fran is happy to have her friends around her as she celebrates her first New Year without her mother. After a wonderful NYE celebration, she's walking Latte, her dog, the next morning when she stumbles over the body of Cheryl, who has been stalking and harassing her good friend and employee Sammy for a few days now.
Given that Cheryl was earlier involved with police detective Ryan, who is now with Sammy, and with the texts Cheryl sent looked at as a motive, Sammy is implicated in Cheryl's murder. With detectives Mike and Ryan off the case due to their closeness to the accused, it's up to Fran to save Sammy.
I did think a page or two was borrowed from Agatha Christie in the way Fran went about solving this one but there was a lot of friendly banter, delicious espressos and eggnog as well as the trademark lightness that makes these books such easy and refreshing reads.
Given that Cheryl was earlier involved with police detective Ryan, who is now with Sammy, and with the texts Cheryl sent looked at as a motive, Sammy is implicated in Cheryl's murder. With detectives Mike and Ryan off the case due to their closeness to the accused, it's up to Fran to save Sammy.
I did think a page or two was borrowed from Agatha Christie in the way Fran went about solving this one but there was a lot of friendly banter, delicious espressos and eggnog as well as the trademark lightness that makes these books such easy and refreshing reads.
June 21, 2018
The best one yet, hands down!! I can't wait for the next book in the series!
September 21, 2019
I really liked this book in the series, because we get to learn more about Sammy and it's easy to feel bad for the killer. Poor Mike, though. Hopefully things work out better for him in the next book.
March 24, 2018
Espressos, Eggnogs, and Evil Exes is the seventh book in the Cape Bay Cafe Mystery series. Finding a dead body on New Years is not a good way to start your year off, but that's what happened to Fran. She found a body while walking her dog, and her best employee looks like she would be suspect number one. Even though anyone that knows Sammy knows she wouldn’t hurt a fly. When the town's detective is removed from the case, Fran knows she needs to hurry up and find the real killer as the detective from Boston is sure Sammy is the killer. This was an enjoyable story to read. I definitely recommend it.
October 22, 2021
I think the Cape Bay Cafe series is so fun. I love a good coffee shop. This is a part of a series, but you could read it as a stand alone, but why would you want to?
Fran's best friend and co worker is stalked by her boyfriend's ex...then the ex ends up dead. Who do think is the suspect? Sammy the best friend. Jump right in for some fun, some craziness and a nice way to spend a weekend. Bonus....there is a "killer" eggnog recipe in the back of the book.
Fran's best friend and co worker is stalked by her boyfriend's ex...then the ex ends up dead. Who do think is the suspect? Sammy the best friend. Jump right in for some fun, some craziness and a nice way to spend a weekend. Bonus....there is a "killer" eggnog recipe in the back of the book.
March 12, 2018
Fran put together a New Years Eve party for her friends and they all had a great time celebrating until a dead body is discovered. Sammy has been accused of killing the ex-girlfriend of her current boyfriend, Ryan. Fran knows that Sammy would never hurt anyone and vows to find the real murderer. This was a very fast-paced and emotional read. I thank Harper Lin for the opportunity to be a part of her review crew. This is a wonderful series and I highly recommend this book!
August 20, 2018
Great addition to this series. A variation of the crazy ex type. An ode to Dame Agatha at the end (my all time fav mystery writer) gives this book 5 stars for me.
June 29, 2019
I loooved this story! This series is the reason I read cozy mysteries. I've never read a physical copy of the books, but the Audiobooks are the great!
November 7, 2020
Really enjoyed this book! Second best of the series yet!
December 22, 2024
Again, I listened to the audiobook for this one and have nothing but praise and admiration for the narrator, who brings you fully into this little world and makes you never want to leave!
This volume was quite good - the mystery involved the death of Fran's best friend's boyfriend's ex, which seems like too many degrees of separation to retain any stakes, but believe me it felt quite personal while reading. I appreciated how one of the series' main recurring characters was the main suspect of this crime and while we knew it wasn't her, the real mystery was a) why it wasn't her and b) who was it, really?
This is one of the highest rated books in the series and for good reason. It was probably my second favorite in the series so far, still sneaking in just behind the fifth book although I could definitely see the arguments for ranking this in first place. I still remember the ending confrontation despite reading this "so long ago" and it felt cinematic for sure. I would love a Netflix mini-series where each episode covered one of these cozy mysteries.
I will say that this reading experience was actually heightened by listening to the audiobook as opposed to reading the paper version.
Again, this series holds a fond place in my heart and I don't think I would have loved them quite as much if I read them at any other time or under any other circumstances, so I'm glad I read them when I did <3
This volume was quite good - the mystery involved the death of Fran's best friend's boyfriend's ex, which seems like too many degrees of separation to retain any stakes, but believe me it felt quite personal while reading. I appreciated how one of the series' main recurring characters was the main suspect of this crime and while we knew it wasn't her, the real mystery was a) why it wasn't her and b) who was it, really?
This is one of the highest rated books in the series and for good reason. It was probably my second favorite in the series so far, still sneaking in just behind the fifth book although I could definitely see the arguments for ranking this in first place. I still remember the ending confrontation despite reading this "so long ago" and it felt cinematic for sure. I would love a Netflix mini-series where each episode covered one of these cozy mysteries.
I will say that this reading experience was actually heightened by listening to the audiobook as opposed to reading the paper version.
Again, this series holds a fond place in my heart and I don't think I would have loved them quite as much if I read them at any other time or under any other circumstances, so I'm glad I read them when I did <3
October 17, 2021
I gave this 4 stars, but I think it is more like 3 1/2 stars. I didn't have any trouble spotting the murderer, when his/her story was revealed. Sadly this book lacked the details of day to day life in the cafe. This gave it a different vibe than the previous books.
The plot seemed very similar to the previous book in the series. That book took place in December before Christmas and this book starts on New Year's Eve. So less than a month has passed. But in Fran's memories it feels like it took place about a year ago. Particularly when she says that Sammy never asks her for anything. The only reason Fran looks into the murder in Cremas, Christmas Cookies, and Crooks is because of Sammy's begging and tears. I wish these books were spread out with more time in between them.
On of my pet peeves is that so many people use the diminutive of their name: Franny, Mattie, Sammy. It makes me feel like they never junior high. I'll continue with this series, but only after I take a break.
The plot seemed very similar to the previous book in the series. That book took place in December before Christmas and this book starts on New Year's Eve. So less than a month has passed. But in Fran's memories it feels like it took place about a year ago. Particularly when she says that Sammy never asks her for anything. The only reason Fran looks into the murder in Cremas, Christmas Cookies, and Crooks is because of Sammy's begging and tears. I wish these books were spread out with more time in between them.
On of my pet peeves is that so many people use the diminutive of their name: Franny, Mattie, Sammy. It makes me feel like they never junior high. I'll continue with this series, but only after I take a break.
November 20, 2019
This time, Fran actually finds the murder victim. Well, that’s not suspicious at all. It’s New Year’s Even, and the morning after a fairly tame party at her house she is out for a walk with her rescued dog Latte — love Latte! — and she discovers the dead body of the hateful Cheryl, ex-girlfriend of Officer Ryan who has been terrorizing the lovely Sammy, local barista and Ryan’s new squeeze, with honeyed, creepy text messages.
Sammy is, of course, the prime suspect in the crime, especially after the police find her DNA on Cheryl’s body, but Fran is not having that, so she does some investigating, uncovers some other motives for Cheryl’s death, and then calls together all the main suspects in a Hercule Poirot-style “The murderer is IN THIS VERY ROOM!” confrontation.
And what do you know, she’s right.
(Unless Fran actually killed Cheryl, that is. And I am really not ruling that out.)
Sammy is, of course, the prime suspect in the crime, especially after the police find her DNA on Cheryl’s body, but Fran is not having that, so she does some investigating, uncovers some other motives for Cheryl’s death, and then calls together all the main suspects in a Hercule Poirot-style “The murderer is IN THIS VERY ROOM!” confrontation.
And what do you know, she’s right.
(Unless Fran actually killed Cheryl, that is. And I am really not ruling that out.)
December 14, 2019
Diese Serie hat mich irgendwie fest in ihrem Griff und ich komme echt nicht davon los.
Fran ist keine dieser überschlauen Ermittler, die wir heutzutage so sehr mögen. Sie ist eine jener Figuren, die wir auf der Strasse antreffen können. Normal eigentlich. Jede und jeder könnte Fran sein. Und ich denke, genau das ist die Stärke von Harper Lins Hauptfigur. Wir alle können uns mit Fran identifizieren oder hätten sie zumindest gerne in unserem Freundeskreis.
Welch gute Freundin Franny ist, zeigt diese Episode der Cape Bay Geschichten. Wer hätte nicht gerne jemanden wie Fran an seiner Seite, wenn man so etwas durchmacht wie die arme Sammy?
Also - nehmen wir uns alle ein Vorbild an Franny.
Fran ist keine dieser überschlauen Ermittler, die wir heutzutage so sehr mögen. Sie ist eine jener Figuren, die wir auf der Strasse antreffen können. Normal eigentlich. Jede und jeder könnte Fran sein. Und ich denke, genau das ist die Stärke von Harper Lins Hauptfigur. Wir alle können uns mit Fran identifizieren oder hätten sie zumindest gerne in unserem Freundeskreis.
Welch gute Freundin Franny ist, zeigt diese Episode der Cape Bay Geschichten. Wer hätte nicht gerne jemanden wie Fran an seiner Seite, wenn man so etwas durchmacht wie die arme Sammy?
Also - nehmen wir uns alle ein Vorbild an Franny.
May 7, 2021
Love this quick mystery in the Cape Bay Cafe Mystery series - they're longer than a novella but shorter than a novel. The more I read, the more I'm pulled into their world.
Happy New Year! Franny has a party with all her friends, she learns about some extra creepy things Ryan's ex has been doing to Sammy. Then *shock* the ex ends up dead in Ryan's yard. Franny is of course on the case. Things get a bit more complex, when Mike and Ryan are pulled off the case. We learn what's been bothering Mike and making him run so hot and cold.
Happy New Year! Franny has a party with all her friends, she learns about some extra creepy things Ryan's ex has been doing to Sammy. Then *shock* the ex ends up dead in Ryan's yard. Franny is of course on the case. Things get a bit more complex, when Mike and Ryan are pulled off the case. We learn what's been bothering Mike and making him run so hot and cold.
September 29, 2020
For a book so far in the series it was brilliant. Kept me guessing the murderer right until the end.
November 6, 2023
Entertaining enough. Don't know that I really cared who the killer was by the end of it and the ending was abrupt.
July 22, 2025
Platform: E-Book
Eggnog truly brings out the truth in everyone. I’m glad it decided to solve a murder instead of going deeper into a stalking plot. This is my favorite series to read before bed.
Eggnog truly brings out the truth in everyone. I’m glad it decided to solve a murder instead of going deeper into a stalking plot. This is my favorite series to read before bed.
January 27, 2022
I'm listening to this series. If you like something delightfully short and fun....here you go!
January 25, 2022
I agree with others - this has been the best book thus far in the series.
March 29, 2022
I think that this is maybe the book in this series that I like the least, because it made me feel a little. I like cosy mysteries because the stakes are usually low, and I really don’t like it when a main character is accused of murder and the amateur sleuth needs to solve the case so the other (or themselves) don’t go to jail unfairly. I just don’t care much about this trope and since this is the plot of this book, it was eh.
Even though I knew that Sammy would not go to jail eventually, I couldn’t enjoy this book enough.
Maybe the thing I enjoy the least is the very inaccuracy of it all. Starting with how absurd it was that Sammy didn’t say anything to anyone about Cheryl stalking her. Listen, I know some women might not and all, but her reason was that she didn’t want her boyfriend to think that she is too high maintenance. ??? WHAT??? That makes zero sense! It’s really an absurd motivation to not tell your cop boyfriend that a woman broke into your flat??? And you are trying to make me believe that in current day America, a COP would be harassed by an ex? Like I am sorry but there is no way I will believe this scenario.
The police has the stupidest investigative methods ever too. First of all, they found DNA on her body how? In what form? Did they just swab some random area? Did Sammy supposedly spit on Cheryl??? Like make it at least believable. DNA comes from hair, skin or body fluids like saliva or blood. If Cheryl was in Ryan’s backyard, she is standing in an area where Sammy’s DNA is going to be regardless. She could have been in her house as well and picked it up from there, so that would explain it, but the Cape Bay police is so stupid so no wonder they don’t consider this.
The guy from Boston isn’t better, no one could really be this incompetent. There are numerous people that can witness that Cheryl had been harassing and stalking Sammy so there is NO WAY he should believe the two women were friends. And the messages do prove it! Passive aggressive and underlying threats are still considered threats, and it was obvious the messages were, especially the one about how cute Sammy’s flat is. A regular cop would consider going to Sammy’s house to search for it but they didn’t??? What?? Even if you think she is guilty, you go search the house!!! What kind of police school did this guy go to?
Also no judge in his right mind would give out an arrest warrant based on the evidence they have, because there is no evidence!!! Like this case would not stand in court at all, there is no proof that Cheryl was killed by Sammy as the DNA can be explained by Cheryl’s message where she HERSELF says she was in Sammy’s house. Millions of people have small hands so that makes no sense either. Bam, the case does not stand due to lack of proof. The only “proof” that the inspector wanted to bring was his idea that Sammy and Cheryl were friends (an idea that is corroborated by a grand total of zero people) and Sammy faked the messages (there is zero net proof of this as well). Wow what a great detective!! Definitely would not get fired in the real world!!
Lastly, the solution was there in front of Fran’s eyes so obvious! Like you have and thought Fran was gonna be smart and see this quickly but the woman is thick.
Because of Fran’s desperation at the thought of Sammy going to jail, the story was not really cosy so I didn’t like it as much as the others.
Even though I knew that Sammy would not go to jail eventually, I couldn’t enjoy this book enough.
Maybe the thing I enjoy the least is the very inaccuracy of it all. Starting with how absurd it was that Sammy didn’t say anything to anyone about Cheryl stalking her. Listen, I know some women might not and all, but her reason was that she didn’t want her boyfriend to think that she is too high maintenance. ??? WHAT??? That makes zero sense! It’s really an absurd motivation to not tell your cop boyfriend that a woman broke into your flat??? And you are trying to make me believe that in current day America, a COP would be harassed by an ex? Like I am sorry but there is no way I will believe this scenario.
The police has the stupidest investigative methods ever too. First of all, they found DNA on her body how? In what form? Did they just swab some random area? Did Sammy supposedly spit on Cheryl??? Like make it at least believable. DNA comes from hair, skin or body fluids like saliva or blood. If Cheryl was in Ryan’s backyard, she is standing in an area where Sammy’s DNA is going to be regardless. She could have been in her house as well and picked it up from there, so that would explain it, but the Cape Bay police is so stupid so no wonder they don’t consider this.
The guy from Boston isn’t better, no one could really be this incompetent. There are numerous people that can witness that Cheryl had been harassing and stalking Sammy so there is NO WAY he should believe the two women were friends. And the messages do prove it! Passive aggressive and underlying threats are still considered threats, and it was obvious the messages were, especially the one about how cute Sammy’s flat is. A regular cop would consider going to Sammy’s house to search for it but they didn’t??? What?? Even if you think she is guilty, you go search the house!!! What kind of police school did this guy go to?
Also no judge in his right mind would give out an arrest warrant based on the evidence they have, because there is no evidence!!! Like this case would not stand in court at all, there is no proof that Cheryl was killed by Sammy as the DNA can be explained by Cheryl’s message where she HERSELF says she was in Sammy’s house. Millions of people have small hands so that makes no sense either. Bam, the case does not stand due to lack of proof. The only “proof” that the inspector wanted to bring was his idea that Sammy and Cheryl were friends (an idea that is corroborated by a grand total of zero people) and Sammy faked the messages (there is zero net proof of this as well). Wow what a great detective!! Definitely would not get fired in the real world!!
Lastly, the solution was there in front of Fran’s eyes so obvious! Like you have and thought Fran was gonna be smart and see this quickly but the woman is thick.
Because of Fran’s desperation at the thought of Sammy going to jail, the story was not really cosy so I didn’t like it as much as the others.
March 9, 2018
Fran runs the coffee shop on Main Street that has been in the family since her Italian grandparents started it many years ago. Her #1 employee is Sammy. Sammy opens up and decorated the delicious cookies Fran bakes. Fran, who likes to sleep in and then walk her dog Latte, comes into the shop later and stays til closing. And best of all they are good friends, along with part-timer Rhonda. So it is no surprise on New Year's Eve that they all are partying together at Fran's house.
The next morning when Fran walks Latte, she lets him lead her wherever he wants to go. Much to her surprise they end up in the backyard of Ryan who is Sammy's boyfriend. An even bigger surprise awaits her when Latte runs up to a large garbage bag-wait, no! It isn't a garbage bag! It's Ryan's ex-girlfriend Cheryl...the same person who has been stalking and texting Sammy. Unfortunately when police are called, they are suspicious of Sammy, and before long have their sights on her as the murderer.
Fran, who knows Sammy wouldn't hurt a fly, literally, immediately starts to try and find the real murderer. When her policeman friend Mike is called off the case and replaced by a state policeman, she knows there isn't much time to find the real killer before Sammy is arrested. What follows is a surprisingly well planned investigation with an ending that was a total surprise. What wasn't a surprise was the well written story that had moments of humor interspersed with despair.
This was a good story and a testimonial to Fran's appreciation and friendship of Sammy. She put Sammy and finding the real murderer ahead of her business and even ahead of Latte and Matt (Fran's boyfriend) as she and Sammy took off to Cheryl's home town looking for suspects and more information.
Although these books stand alone, it is nicer to read them in order so you get to know the characters and circumstances as they happen. I recommend reading them all but in order for more enjoyment in the current new book Expressos, Eggnogs, & Evil Exes.
The next morning when Fran walks Latte, she lets him lead her wherever he wants to go. Much to her surprise they end up in the backyard of Ryan who is Sammy's boyfriend. An even bigger surprise awaits her when Latte runs up to a large garbage bag-wait, no! It isn't a garbage bag! It's Ryan's ex-girlfriend Cheryl...the same person who has been stalking and texting Sammy. Unfortunately when police are called, they are suspicious of Sammy, and before long have their sights on her as the murderer.
Fran, who knows Sammy wouldn't hurt a fly, literally, immediately starts to try and find the real murderer. When her policeman friend Mike is called off the case and replaced by a state policeman, she knows there isn't much time to find the real killer before Sammy is arrested. What follows is a surprisingly well planned investigation with an ending that was a total surprise. What wasn't a surprise was the well written story that had moments of humor interspersed with despair.
This was a good story and a testimonial to Fran's appreciation and friendship of Sammy. She put Sammy and finding the real murderer ahead of her business and even ahead of Latte and Matt (Fran's boyfriend) as she and Sammy took off to Cheryl's home town looking for suspects and more information.
Although these books stand alone, it is nicer to read them in order so you get to know the characters and circumstances as they happen. I recommend reading them all but in order for more enjoyment in the current new book Expressos, Eggnogs, & Evil Exes.
March 10, 2018
While Fran was walking Latte, her dog, she finds the body of a dead woman right outside of Ryan's house on the sidewalk. Sammy, is Fran's best friend and she has been staying with Ryan and is the police's number one suspect. The dead woman is Ryan's ex-girlfriend and has secretly stalking and terrorizing Sammy. Detective Mike Stanton has been removed from the case and a detective from Boston has taken over and he is convinced that Sammy is the murderer. Can Fran, Mike and the gang prove that Sammy is innocent? Will they be able to find the real killer and why? You will enjoy the unknown twist that happens. Don't forget the recipes!!! I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
March 12, 2018
It's the start of a new year and Fran is hoping that this year will be better than the last. She decides to take her dog Latte for a walk early New Year's Day Morning and stumbles across a dead body. It'd bad enough that she has found another one, but it happens to be her friend Sammy's boyfriends ex-girlfriend. This ex-girl friend has been harassing Sammy lately and when her body shows up outside Ryan's house she becomes the main suspect. Even though Fran has resolved to not get involved in any more investigations, she can't let Sammy go to jail when she knows that she didn't do it. Join Fran for another great investigation.
March 15, 2018
Deliciously Evil!
Barista Extraordinaire Fran once again becomes involved in another murder. However, this one hits a little too close to home. Not only does she stumble upon the body, but her best friend & Exceptional Cookie Artist Sammy is accused of the crime. Fran races against the clock to find the killer before Sammy is arrested. While I did have my suspicions regarding the killer midway through, I still enjoyed watching the plot unfold. I will say that I had an incredible craving for eggnog throughout this book. I was very delighted to see a recipe for it at the end!
Barista Extraordinaire Fran once again becomes involved in another murder. However, this one hits a little too close to home. Not only does she stumble upon the body, but her best friend & Exceptional Cookie Artist Sammy is accused of the crime. Fran races against the clock to find the killer before Sammy is arrested. While I did have my suspicions regarding the killer midway through, I still enjoyed watching the plot unfold. I will say that I had an incredible craving for eggnog throughout this book. I was very delighted to see a recipe for it at the end!
March 22, 2018
Book 7 in the A Cape Bay Cafe Mystery.
Fran is starting the new year off right, a party with friends. A late night walk with the dog shouldn't be a problem. Not for Fran. Her coffee shop employee, Sammy, has been getting some creepy text from her boyfriends ex. Now there is a dead body in his yard! This doesn't look goof for Sammy. What is Fran supposed to do? Protect Sammy and find out the truth! Each of these books can be read as a standalone, but, you will want to read them ALL! Mystery, suspense and even laugh out loud moments. I was given and advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review.
Fran is starting the new year off right, a party with friends. A late night walk with the dog shouldn't be a problem. Not for Fran. Her coffee shop employee, Sammy, has been getting some creepy text from her boyfriends ex. Now there is a dead body in his yard! This doesn't look goof for Sammy. What is Fran supposed to do? Protect Sammy and find out the truth! Each of these books can be read as a standalone, but, you will want to read them ALL! Mystery, suspense and even laugh out loud moments. I was given and advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review.
March 9, 2018
I was hooked on this story from the very first page. I was pretty sure Harper Lin had left the possibility for a book that involved Sammy and her boyfriend Ryan’s ex-girlfriend Cheryl in it – and she did it in the most amazing way. I love the way the story just flows together. There is so much intrigue and mystery in this eBook. There were also some laugh out loud moments, some sadness and, of course, a beautiful happy ending. I enjoyed every minute I spent reading this eBook.
March 18, 2018
After a night of partying on New Year's Eve, the gang awakes to find out that stalker Cheryl has been murdered. The police are convinced Sammy is the one who did it and refuse to look any further. This means that Fran is the only one who can step in to clear Sammy of the charges. After interviewing many people up and down the Massachusetts coastline, she is stumped. In a last ditch effort, the truth comes crashing out in a twist that you would not have seen coming.
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