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Cape Bay Cafe Mystery #8
Double Shots, Donuts, and Dead Dudes
From 3x USA TODAY Bestselling Author Harper a popular cozy mystery series set in a charming beach town! When Fran moves back to idyllic Cape Bay to take over the family café, she also develops a knack for solving bizarre murders. In the middle of Fran’s date night with Matt, at Cape Bay’s best Mexican restaurant, Fran’s favorite waiter drops dead. Everyone else thinks Pablo had a stroke, but Fran believes he was murdered because he had been getting strange, threatening notes in his apron at work. As Fran digs deeper into another murder case she shouldn’t be involved in, she learns her beloved waiter had some secrets stewing in his personal life.Includes 2 donut recipes!
252 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 4, 2018
124 people are currently reading
555 people want to read
About the author
Harper Lin
90 books931 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.
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
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 115 reviews
February 17, 2020
Fran and Matt are enjoying a nice date at their favorite Mexican restaurant. They have a table right in the center with the best waiter, Pablo, waiting on them. There's an air of excitement- the lottery is about to be called for a billion dollar jackpot! Even Matt has a ticket. Then the unthinkable happens, Pablo collapses unconscious on the ground and in spite of a line of people giving CPR, Pablo dies. Fran is devastated. Pablo was a family man, devoted to his children. She knows how it feels to get that call and have your heart break. When Fran overhears the restaurant owner Bill at the funeral, she begins to believe Pablo was murdered! Fran wants to see justice done for Pablo's family and is determined to solve the mystery so she can present it to Mike for an arrest. Will her fantasies play out as she hoped or did Pablo die of natural causes?
This was disappointing for a couple of reasons. The story ended abruptly and shockingly. Also, the cozy was all wrong. No place to get doughnuts in Cape Bay? What the HECK? They're in Massachusetts! There's a Dunkin' Donuts on every corner around here! New England runs on Dunkin'. (Mostly the cawfee). Fran seems to be making baking powder doughnuts and not yeast raised. Doughnut purists would say those aren't real doughnuts. Fran doesn't have time to make real doughnuts. She should stick to coffee, biscotti and tiramisu plus the occasional cupcake for Matt. I don't like that this story only takes place months after Fran returns home. It seems like longer. It should be longer.
I normally really like Fran but her investigation went way too far. She was way out of line even investigating. I figured out right away why Pablo seemed to suddenly become so withdrawn and upset. If I figured that out, I'm sure the police have to. Fran did something stupid and dangerous ALONE in the course of her investigation. She confronts her suspects alone too. Matt tries to reason with her. I'm glad she has his level head to help balance her rashness. There wasn't enough romance in this story for me. Latte is around but doing doggie things. He's so cute but I wish Fran would take him with her if she's going to confront suspects on her own. Sammy must be a saint to open and close the cafe AND fry doughnuts AND take orders for tomorrow. What's wrong with her? LOL! I like wise cracking Rhonda in this book. She at least needs the money to fund her shopping habit so more hours are a good thing but poor, sweet Sammy is overworked.
Pablo was a great guy. I can see why everyone loved him. He was devoted to his children and enjoyed serving the local community. Pablo was doing what he loved, living the American dream. His death was a tragedy. His estranged wife, Isabel, is loving but tough. She knows Alberto wasn't a saint but is protecting the children from his faults. Could she have murdered him because of his secrets? Alberto is a teenage boy trying to hang on to his memories of his dad, his hero. Adriana is a spoiled brat and inadvertently made her dad's life worse. She seems like a typical, self-absorbed teenage girl but she must have loved her dad. His death hits her hard.
Bill, the restaurant owner, is cheerful and friendly. He doesn't have any motivation to kill Pablo, his best waiter, unless he feared Pablo's actions would reflect badly on the restaurant or do something to harm business. I don't think he's a killer. Pablo has a brother, Eduardo. Could Pablo have been trying to help his brother and got in over his head? Could it have been a case of mistaken identity? Pablo's friend Fitz is a pharmaceuticals rep. He must have knowledge of drugs that could be silent killers. Could he be a murderer? The bad guys are so lame and obvious. Fran is in over her head with this one.
This book contains some baked doughnut recipes. Yum! The cinnamon sugar ones sound the best but if I want doughnuts, I can not be lazy and walk to Dunkin' or even the artisan doughnut shop or get on a bus and go to the other artisan doughnut shop. See what I mean? This is New England. We do love our doughnuts.
This was disappointing for a couple of reasons. The story ended abruptly and shockingly. Also, the cozy was all wrong. No place to get doughnuts in Cape Bay? What the HECK? They're in Massachusetts! There's a Dunkin' Donuts on every corner around here! New England runs on Dunkin'. (Mostly the cawfee). Fran seems to be making baking powder doughnuts and not yeast raised. Doughnut purists would say those aren't real doughnuts. Fran doesn't have time to make real doughnuts. She should stick to coffee, biscotti and tiramisu plus the occasional cupcake for Matt. I don't like that this story only takes place months after Fran returns home. It seems like longer. It should be longer.
I normally really like Fran but her investigation went way too far. She was way out of line even investigating. I figured out right away why Pablo seemed to suddenly become so withdrawn and upset. If I figured that out, I'm sure the police have to. Fran did something stupid and dangerous ALONE in the course of her investigation. She confronts her suspects alone too. Matt tries to reason with her. I'm glad she has his level head to help balance her rashness. There wasn't enough romance in this story for me. Latte is around but doing doggie things. He's so cute but I wish Fran would take him with her if she's going to confront suspects on her own. Sammy must be a saint to open and close the cafe AND fry doughnuts AND take orders for tomorrow. What's wrong with her? LOL! I like wise cracking Rhonda in this book. She at least needs the money to fund her shopping habit so more hours are a good thing but poor, sweet Sammy is overworked.
Pablo was a great guy. I can see why everyone loved him. He was devoted to his children and enjoyed serving the local community. Pablo was doing what he loved, living the American dream. His death was a tragedy. His estranged wife, Isabel, is loving but tough. She knows Alberto wasn't a saint but is protecting the children from his faults. Could she have murdered him because of his secrets? Alberto is a teenage boy trying to hang on to his memories of his dad, his hero. Adriana is a spoiled brat and inadvertently made her dad's life worse. She seems like a typical, self-absorbed teenage girl but she must have loved her dad. His death hits her hard.
Bill, the restaurant owner, is cheerful and friendly. He doesn't have any motivation to kill Pablo, his best waiter, unless he feared Pablo's actions would reflect badly on the restaurant or do something to harm business. I don't think he's a killer. Pablo has a brother, Eduardo. Could Pablo have been trying to help his brother and got in over his head? Could it have been a case of mistaken identity? Pablo's friend Fitz is a pharmaceuticals rep. He must have knowledge of drugs that could be silent killers. Could he be a murderer? The bad guys are so lame and obvious. Fran is in over her head with this one.
This book contains some baked doughnut recipes. Yum! The cinnamon sugar ones sound the best but if I want doughnuts, I can not be lazy and walk to Dunkin' or even the artisan doughnut shop or get on a bus and go to the other artisan doughnut shop. See what I mean? This is New England. We do love our doughnuts.
September 9, 2024
This series is always light and fun to read though Fran really seems to be putting herself in the middle of police investigations now!
The sudden death of her favourite waiter in the middle of a romantic dinner with Matt raises Fran's suspicions and she decides to get to the bottom of it. This book is a little emotional when compared to others in the series so far because of the conversations around grief over the loss of a parent and Fran's own memories of her mother assailing her as she tries to help the teenage children of Pedro deal with their loss.
Delicious donuts are the new addition to the cafe this time and I loved the banter with Matt and Mike whose personal issues are building up. Also, Latte was as adorable as ever!
The sudden death of her favourite waiter in the middle of a romantic dinner with Matt raises Fran's suspicions and she decides to get to the bottom of it. This book is a little emotional when compared to others in the series so far because of the conversations around grief over the loss of a parent and Fran's own memories of her mother assailing her as she tries to help the teenage children of Pedro deal with their loss.
Delicious donuts are the new addition to the cafe this time and I loved the banter with Matt and Mike whose personal issues are building up. Also, Latte was as adorable as ever!
November 11, 2019
Double Shots, Donuts, and Dead Dudes is another entertaining installment of Harper Lin’s Cape Bay mystery series. Fran and her boyfriend Matt are enjoying a much-needed night out when their favorite waiter, Pablo, collapses in front of them. Despite their heroic efforts at resuscitation, Pablo is pronounced dead. Everyone assumes that he succumbed to a stroke, but Fran suspects otherwise. Despite Matt’s urging her to let it go, Fran digs deeper into Pablo’s life and discovers that all was not as it appeared to be.
This mystery marks a departure from the previous books in the series. The typical elements are present: Fran decides to investigate despite warnings from both Matt and the police, Fran and Sammy are hard at work at the café, and there is a “dead dude” with little or no investigation on the part of the authorities. This time, however, Fran needs to piece clues together just to prove that there is a mystery to solve. Discovering that Pablo’s death was by other than natural causes only serves as the catalyst for further investigation. Additionally, Fran and Matty’s relationship deepens, and the Cape Bay Café gains a new (and delicious) addition – donuts! And, by the end of the story, Fran has to confront not only the truth about what happened to Pablo, but also a difficult moral dilemma.
Once again, my visit to Cape Bay was fantastic! Fran and Matty are like old friends. The secondary characters, as always, play their parts, adding an extra measure of charm to the story. The story itself was well-written and paced nicely. The mystery, in many ways, was more personal this time, yet it always kept me guessing. More than that, Ms. Lin handled a difficult subject in a very tender and respectful manner, giving the story’s resolution an intense emotional pull. I am definitely looking forward to the next book in the series!
This mystery marks a departure from the previous books in the series. The typical elements are present: Fran decides to investigate despite warnings from both Matt and the police, Fran and Sammy are hard at work at the café, and there is a “dead dude” with little or no investigation on the part of the authorities. This time, however, Fran needs to piece clues together just to prove that there is a mystery to solve. Discovering that Pablo’s death was by other than natural causes only serves as the catalyst for further investigation. Additionally, Fran and Matty’s relationship deepens, and the Cape Bay Café gains a new (and delicious) addition – donuts! And, by the end of the story, Fran has to confront not only the truth about what happened to Pablo, but also a difficult moral dilemma.
Once again, my visit to Cape Bay was fantastic! Fran and Matty are like old friends. The secondary characters, as always, play their parts, adding an extra measure of charm to the story. The story itself was well-written and paced nicely. The mystery, in many ways, was more personal this time, yet it always kept me guessing. More than that, Ms. Lin handled a difficult subject in a very tender and respectful manner, giving the story’s resolution an intense emotional pull. I am definitely looking forward to the next book in the series!
September 23, 2019
This is probably one of my favorite books in this series! The death in this story did not have a cut and dry murderer- and the issue of what is right when turning someone in isn't as clear as it's been in past books. I'm happy that Lin is creating a series in which the main character has a healthy, steady relationship with her significant other, without the drama of going through multiple partners; it's different from a lot of the book series I've read. I'm happy that the drama in these books are contained to Fran's search for whodunnit. Also, I'm happy that things are looking better for Mike. I'm excited to read the next installment in this series!
December 1, 2020
Fran is awful. Worse than ever. The only reason she survives at this point is for sure the fact that these murderers are even more incompetent.
February 9, 2022
This one had a surprising ending that I didn't expect.
February 9, 2023
This wasn't the best entry in this series. The mystery felt forced and the book was flat for me. Fran finally solved the "mystery", but it was not satisfying to me. The best part of the book was the donuts!!
September 19, 2024
I love this series but this book isn't as good as the previous ones.
March 10, 2022
This review pains me, as I love this series! However, I did not love this book. The premise was interesting but the resolution of the mystery was HORRID! I struggled with this one much like Fran herself did in the book. Hopefully the next one in the series, is more like the rest of the series that I love.
December 22, 2024
Audiobook again; wonderful narrator again!
I liked how this book again expanded on this small seaside town and made the setting feel like a character in itself, made this little world feel truly "lived in".
It was tragic to see the victim's children and Fran's interactions with them. The twist at the end was quite unique in relation to the rest of the series.
I have this one as 3.75 on the Storygraph so I must not have vibed with it quite as much as ie Books 5-7, but still enjoyed it very much and upon reflecting back on my reading experience I feel positively towards this one again, and it feels like another solid entry into this little universe.
I liked how this book again expanded on this small seaside town and made the setting feel like a character in itself, made this little world feel truly "lived in".
It was tragic to see the victim's children and Fran's interactions with them. The twist at the end was quite unique in relation to the rest of the series.
I have this one as 3.75 on the Storygraph so I must not have vibed with it quite as much as ie Books 5-7, but still enjoyed it very much and upon reflecting back on my reading experience I feel positively towards this one again, and it feels like another solid entry into this little universe.
November 20, 2019
Fran is at the site of yet another death. But this one… well, the conclusion to this one surprised me completely. It’s not often that the eighth novel in a series — especially in a cosy mystery series like this one, which is as light as the confections that adorns its covers– is its best, but such is the case with this one.*
And now I really want donuts.
* Well, except for the claim that Fran’s cafe could possibly be the only place in Cape Bay to get a donut. WHAT?!? Is Cape Bay not in America anymore?
And now I really want donuts.
* Well, except for the claim that Fran’s cafe could possibly be the only place in Cape Bay to get a donut. WHAT?!? Is Cape Bay not in America anymore?
November 8, 2020
Not on my top 3 of the series. I loved the twist at the end when we find out that the murder isn’t, in fact, a murder but a suicide. But still a nice read. 3/5! ✨
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 9, 2021
3.5 stars - this one felt a little different. Franny and Matty are there when the death occurs. Franny feels like something is off, so she starts investigating. She finds a gambling ring, discovers donuts, and things aren’t always as they seem. Don’t care for the title, “dude” seems a bit off for a Mexican restaurant owner and family man.
June 28, 2021
I didn’t think this book was quite as good as some of the other books in the series. It was still a fun read
October 21, 2022
This one just made me sad.
January 25, 2022
Another good book - this one offers an interesting plot twist/moral dilemma from the previous books in the series.
August 16, 2023
Least favorite entry in this series (so far). The story itself was fine (i already knew it wasnt the bookie bc when people pay their debts worth more alive than dead!) and it was just sad but like for all the details and references to the past in other books both Cape Bay High School and the Sand Bar were locations for 2 of the past crimes/somewhere to talk to witnesses and Fran doesn’t make any reference to them? She acts like its the first time she was in the Sand Bar but doesn’t recall Sammi’s bf Dawn working there? I have to listen to how many trips to the car she has to take with her food and coffee and that minutiae but there’s no line saying “oh, Cape Bay High - where not too long ago I was nearly knifed by the principal?”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 6, 2025
I didn't realize I had been gifted another of the audiobooks in this series. I hate leaving a book unread or not listened to. I just don't understand. Fran is an awful person. She is extremely selfish. Matt always comes second to whatever murder or the "cafe". Why keep trying to paint her as caring and concerned? Her only concern is making sure SHE is the ONLY one to solve the murder.
It's obvious she doesn't think her good friend Mike or the police are capable. She also doesn't care about minding other people's business or putting them or herself in possible danger. In this book, she was just more obnoxious than usual.
The only positive was the narrator in this book was better than the narrator in the later books.
It's obvious she doesn't think her good friend Mike or the police are capable. She also doesn't care about minding other people's business or putting them or herself in possible danger. In this book, she was just more obnoxious than usual.
The only positive was the narrator in this book was better than the narrator in the later books.
February 19, 2025
While I still enjoy this series, it's not one of my favorites. I like Fran, her friends and co-workers, but have a hard time believing people are so willing to answer Fran's intrusive questions about things that are really none of her business.
I suspected one character's involvement in the death that is front and center in this story, but I was surprised by the explanation of what actually happened. Although I had not worked out the motive, it made absolute sense.
There are only three books left in this series, and I have all of them in my audio library, so I'll listen to them eventually, I'm just not sure when.
I suspected one character's involvement in the death that is front and center in this story, but I was surprised by the explanation of what actually happened. Although I had not worked out the motive, it made absolute sense.
There are only three books left in this series, and I have all of them in my audio library, so I'll listen to them eventually, I'm just not sure when.
January 5, 2024
The waiter was clearly unwell and looked like he was about to faint but Fran never worries herself about other people and just has to keep pointing out that she's still waiting for her margarita. Don't worry yourself about being a human being Fran
One more book to go then I will have finished all the books I have in this series, then I'm giving up on it because Fran is awful
It's pretty bad form to show up at a strangers' home and start quizzing a grieving family. Fran never wondered about her grandparents approving of those actions
One more book to go then I will have finished all the books I have in this series, then I'm giving up on it because Fran is awful
It's pretty bad form to show up at a strangers' home and start quizzing a grieving family. Fran never wondered about her grandparents approving of those actions
August 21, 2020
That is by far the worst of all the ones I have read. One more to go and the series will be done.
Could Fran have been any stupider? Not just with her actions, her words but mostly missing the most obvious suspect.
this is one I would tell people to definitely skip over. Not just the story line, the ending but there was just so much "filler" writing in the book.
A waste of my time, even if it only was a couple of hours.
Could Fran have been any stupider? Not just with her actions, her words but mostly missing the most obvious suspect.
this is one I would tell people to definitely skip over. Not just the story line, the ending but there was just so much "filler" writing in the book.
A waste of my time, even if it only was a couple of hours.
October 6, 2021
The story was contrived at best, the ending completely unsatisfying.
It's been an OK series so far, the timeline for it all is way too compressed. This is the 8th murder in less than a year in the tiny town.
I think the worst offense in this book was to the donuts. You simply dont make donuts the day before to sell in the morning.
It's been an OK series so far, the timeline for it all is way too compressed. This is the 8th murder in less than a year in the tiny town.
I think the worst offense in this book was to the donuts. You simply dont make donuts the day before to sell in the morning.
July 21, 2022
Fran was waaaaayyyy too interested in Pablo’s death. Her focus on him neared obsession. This cozy dragged on and on. Had I been reading the actual book instead of listening to the audiobook, I would likely have DNF’d it. Also I felt the end was predictable.
December 18, 2023
I am really enjoying this series. This book was very touching and heart retching. Fran is such a funny, lovely and kind person. A very good sleuth as well! Coffee, delicious sweets and a murder mystery. I am a sucker for them.
March 29, 2021
The twist? Decent. Fran reaching hitherto unseen depths of stupidity? A yikes. Hope this series can finish on a higher note.
March 31, 2021
A surprising lack of conflict/interaction with our favorite grouch Mike made this one a little less interesting.
May 30, 2022
????? where was the cosy in this cosy mystery this was depressing
March 1, 2024
This was such a misstep in the series. Fran was such a meddling busy body in this and came off as obnoxious and invasive.
August 24, 2024
This is one of those absolutely ridiculous plot ideas that should never have made it to print.
August 27, 2020
AudioBook Review:
Stars: Overall 4 Narration 5 Story 3
It’s been a bit of time since I’ve spent time with Fran, Matt and the Gang at the Café, and with Fran and Matt finally making progress so the stories are more able to focus on the ‘whodunit’ rather than the occasional ‘will they or won’t they’ that so often sidetracks cozies. Fran has made quite a reputation for herself with finding clues and looking past what the traditional investigations lead to – and it’s not always been an easy run for her. But when on a date night at their favorite Mexixan eatery the server, Pablo drops dead, there are questions.
‘
Pablo is a stellar guy from all accounts: family man, well-liked and respected in town, and even though he and his wife were estranged, and she knew he wasn’t quite the saint others may try to have made him out to be – she also knew that he lived for his family and children, and was focused on his version of the American Dream. There are no end of possible suspects, but the twists and turns are far deeper than one might expect, leaving Fran puzzled as his life reveals itself – good bad and ugly. While it wasn’t quite an obvious culprit (or culprits) the twists and turns were engaging and well-written: keeping me interested in the story.
Marguerite Gavin is again providing the narration and it feels as if she not only knows the story but is invested in the mystery as well. Her voices, complete with tics and nuances are deftly pushing the story forward, without overreaching for the listener to ‘pay attention’ to any one character or moment but treating all conversations and revelations as an important part. No spoilers from her narration but the listen is easy to engage with and allows listeners time to process the events for themselves. Another clever installment in this cozy series that is just a bit different from many.
I received an AudioBook copy of the title from Tantor Audio for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
Review first appeared at I am, Indeed
Stars: Overall 4 Narration 5 Story 3
It’s been a bit of time since I’ve spent time with Fran, Matt and the Gang at the Café, and with Fran and Matt finally making progress so the stories are more able to focus on the ‘whodunit’ rather than the occasional ‘will they or won’t they’ that so often sidetracks cozies. Fran has made quite a reputation for herself with finding clues and looking past what the traditional investigations lead to – and it’s not always been an easy run for her. But when on a date night at their favorite Mexixan eatery the server, Pablo drops dead, there are questions.
‘
Pablo is a stellar guy from all accounts: family man, well-liked and respected in town, and even though he and his wife were estranged, and she knew he wasn’t quite the saint others may try to have made him out to be – she also knew that he lived for his family and children, and was focused on his version of the American Dream. There are no end of possible suspects, but the twists and turns are far deeper than one might expect, leaving Fran puzzled as his life reveals itself – good bad and ugly. While it wasn’t quite an obvious culprit (or culprits) the twists and turns were engaging and well-written: keeping me interested in the story.
Marguerite Gavin is again providing the narration and it feels as if she not only knows the story but is invested in the mystery as well. Her voices, complete with tics and nuances are deftly pushing the story forward, without overreaching for the listener to ‘pay attention’ to any one character or moment but treating all conversations and revelations as an important part. No spoilers from her narration but the listen is easy to engage with and allows listeners time to process the events for themselves. Another clever installment in this cozy series that is just a bit different from many.
I received an AudioBook copy of the title from Tantor Audio for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
Review first appeared at I am, Indeed
Displaying 1 - 30 of 115 reviews