What do you think?
Rate this book
Cape Bay Cafe Mystery #10
Punch, Pastries, and Poison
Fran throws Matt a birthday party at the cafe and invites all of Cape Bay to attend. Halfway into the party, many of the guests become sick, and some end up in the ER. Fran fears the cause was food poisoning, but Detective Mike Stanton informs her that it was actual poison--someone at the party intentionally poisoned the pastries or punch.
Did the perp mean to target one person or to hurt as many people as possible? Did they want to shut down the cafe and destroy her business? Was it someone she knew or a sick stranger?
Whoever it was, Fran had likely met the culprit at her party. And that makes her shudder. When another partygoer ends up dead days later, Fran is on high alert. She must find the murderer before anyone else gets hurt.
Did the perp mean to target one person or to hurt as many people as possible? Did they want to shut down the cafe and destroy her business? Was it someone she knew or a sick stranger?
Whoever it was, Fran had likely met the culprit at her party. And that makes her shudder. When another partygoer ends up dead days later, Fran is on high alert. She must find the murderer before anyone else gets hurt.
266 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 12, 2021
89 people are currently reading
496 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.
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
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 100 reviews
December 17, 2021
After 9 audiobooks in the series read by Marguerite Gavin, this book is read by someone else! It was hard to listen to because of this. Tantor Media, please bring back the original reader for any future books.
December 28, 2021
Why change the narrator? That really made it hard to feel like they were the original characters. It felt like all the cast changed after 9 seasons of a tv show.
The story was very predictable. My least favorite of the series.
The story was very predictable. My least favorite of the series.
January 27, 2022
Lin's cozy mysteries are usually better than most, but I found this one went a little overboard when she killed off a 14-year old coffee prodigy (not a spoiler, that's the murder Fran is investigating) just to keep murders happening in Cape Bay. Plus, the tragedy which factored appropriately strongly at the beginning at the book was all but forgotten by the end with no reflection.
May 17, 2022
Holy crumb cakes!! This was a tough one to digest- I can’t believe I actually finished it… The plot was weak, no one cared about the victim and the revealing of the killer felt like it was just thrown out there in the last few pages to put us out of our misery.. the only saving grace are the coffee references which honestly - I’m a tea drinker anyways…
September 29, 2024
The new narrator really threw me with this audiobook. She is okay but definitely no Marguerite Gavin and this really spoiled the audiobook for me. I ended up taking out the ebook from the library to read because I could not get into the story with the new narrator. I think this took a lot away from the story for me.
November 3, 2021
Love these characters and this series. Each book is a fun read, that I don’t want to put down. I cannot wait for the next.
January 26, 2022
This one felt like there was much less investigating going on. Not as entertaining that way.
May 16, 2022
Fran is at it again, but this time it's trying to figure out who's trying to murder HER! It took me awhile to get into the story (the audiobook had a different reader, which threw me off for a bit); once I was in though, the story moved right along. I've complained a few times about how Fran is kind of a Mary Sue. I still feel that she's a little too perfect at times, but these books are kind of like Bones or Criminal Minds... you know what you're going to get and each story will end with a bad guy behind bars. Sometimes the mind just needs a little predictability before diving into another heavier story.
April 18, 2023
#libbyapp
#audiobooks
#read23in2023
#23in23
#cozycrime
A book with a yellow coloured cover.
A light crime , which continues the story of Fran and Matt. The latest in the series.
A delightfully relaxing book.
The actual books have recipes mentioned within the book, the audio book don't have these.
#audiobooks
#read23in2023
#23in23
#cozycrime
A book with a yellow coloured cover.
A light crime , which continues the story of Fran and Matt. The latest in the series.
A delightfully relaxing book.
The actual books have recipes mentioned within the book, the audio book don't have these.
March 12, 2024
This was one of the worst of the series. Over 60% before someone's murdered, the person murdered had been introduced and given so much time and background I thought they'd be another reoccurring character. But then they are killed in an almost nonchalant kind of way.
Fran is judgemental and rude to Effy and basically never changes that opinion of her. And then when she needs to rehire she acts like it's a chore to have to replace her! Like it's her fault!
And the killer is given hardly any screen time, and the motive is so stupid and such a passing conversation at the very end. It's such a throwaway and not worth the time it took to read.
Fran is judgemental and rude to Effy and basically never changes that opinion of her. And then when she needs to rehire she acts like it's a chore to have to replace her! Like it's her fault!
And the killer is given hardly any screen time, and the motive is so stupid and such a passing conversation at the very end. It's such a throwaway and not worth the time it took to read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 8, 2022
2.5 stars. This was just a meh ending to a series. I loved the rest of the books in this series, but this one felt rushed, or like it was missing something.
May 16, 2021
Punch, Pastries, and Poison Earns 5/5 Sweet Treats...Engaging Page-Turner!
Harper Lin has added a very entertaining tenth adventure to her Cape Bay Café Mystery series with birthdays, a refreshed café, and...murder? Francesca Amaro’s coffee shop, Antonia’s, has had a make-over with local art displays, more sweet treats, and some new and quirky employees. But, she has a dilemma! She and her boyfriend Matt have been ships passing in the night and the day. He’s so busy and overworked he admitted he forgot to make plans for Fran’s upcoming birthday...which reminded Fran that she, too, had lapsed on making plans for his birthday that comes sooner. But, after broaching the subject, they both agree on a two-fer, so...a party needs planning! The coffee shop is the best venue and Fran prepares a variety of treats, and with everyone in town popping in, including a few newbies, it’s a grand celebration. However, things do not go smoothly when Fran, Matt, and most of the guests find themselves hugging the porcelain. After a thorough forensic search of the café, cross contamination wasn’t the cause of the food poisoning, it was actually poison-poisoning. A hundred guests on the guestbook make for a daunting list of suspects, but a suspicious package and a dead body not only further complicates the whole matter, it creates a perilous predicament for Fran.
Harper Lin writes a first-person narrative, my favorite, from Fran’s perspective, providing me a vicarious “I,” “me,” and “my” thrill, but it’s her writing style using descriptive language creating lovely images and filling one’s senses that kept me entertained. Her clever and entertaining banter between characters depicted a variety of personalities and emotions and presenting clues and scenarios, added to the suspense. I was totally engaged page after page, and literally gasped with the reveal! Animal lovers will enjoy Latte, a Berger Picard rescue dog, and of course, the descriptions of Fran’s treats and pastries will leave your mouth watering. Be inspired to try the three easy-to-follow recipes included in the book: Cream Horns, Shortbread Cookies (with Ephy’s touch), and Raspberry Punch (with or without the rum). Enjoy!
Disclosure: I received an ARC from the author. My review is voluntary with honest insights and comments.
Harper Lin has added a very entertaining tenth adventure to her Cape Bay Café Mystery series with birthdays, a refreshed café, and...murder? Francesca Amaro’s coffee shop, Antonia’s, has had a make-over with local art displays, more sweet treats, and some new and quirky employees. But, she has a dilemma! She and her boyfriend Matt have been ships passing in the night and the day. He’s so busy and overworked he admitted he forgot to make plans for Fran’s upcoming birthday...which reminded Fran that she, too, had lapsed on making plans for his birthday that comes sooner. But, after broaching the subject, they both agree on a two-fer, so...a party needs planning! The coffee shop is the best venue and Fran prepares a variety of treats, and with everyone in town popping in, including a few newbies, it’s a grand celebration. However, things do not go smoothly when Fran, Matt, and most of the guests find themselves hugging the porcelain. After a thorough forensic search of the café, cross contamination wasn’t the cause of the food poisoning, it was actually poison-poisoning. A hundred guests on the guestbook make for a daunting list of suspects, but a suspicious package and a dead body not only further complicates the whole matter, it creates a perilous predicament for Fran.
Harper Lin writes a first-person narrative, my favorite, from Fran’s perspective, providing me a vicarious “I,” “me,” and “my” thrill, but it’s her writing style using descriptive language creating lovely images and filling one’s senses that kept me entertained. Her clever and entertaining banter between characters depicted a variety of personalities and emotions and presenting clues and scenarios, added to the suspense. I was totally engaged page after page, and literally gasped with the reveal! Animal lovers will enjoy Latte, a Berger Picard rescue dog, and of course, the descriptions of Fran’s treats and pastries will leave your mouth watering. Be inspired to try the three easy-to-follow recipes included in the book: Cream Horns, Shortbread Cookies (with Ephy’s touch), and Raspberry Punch (with or without the rum). Enjoy!
Disclosure: I received an ARC from the author. My review is voluntary with honest insights and comments.
December 22, 2024
I actually kept notes as I read this one, so I'll write them down here!
My series ranking (I think!) as of Book #10:
5 > 9 > 7 > 8 > 10 > 6 > 3=2 > 4 > 1
- New audiobook narrator not as bad/jarring as I expected, but maybe I just got used to it or had enough time between installments not to notice
- Other reviews say they saw the culprit coming--Normally I do too (which I like sometimes!) but I didn't this time... maybe because of my intervals between my reading this.
-
- I agree with some of the reviewers regarding Fran and the author's internalized misogyny and random hatred for young people (moreso Fran, don't want to make too many assumptions about the author!). She disliked Ephy and Carly for their fashion, demeanor, etc which was highly annoying to me
-
- Other than that I actually like Fran as a narrator and a main character - she has grown on me a lot and feels more like a "real person" than a character. I'm going to miss her (and Latte the dog!) when this series is over!
My series ranking (I think!) as of Book #10:
5 > 9 > 7 > 8 > 10 > 6 > 3=2 > 4 > 1
April 22, 2025
This was the final book in the series for me to read. It felt like a short book and I saw from early on who was behind everything. Still a nice read and I will miss the cafe and talk about food.
October 3, 2022
Boosted this up to a 3. Took me a bit to get into it. Would have been a 4 if the same person narrating the first 9 books did this one too. Guess that’s the downfall when you listen to one after the other.
July 18, 2022
Compared to the other books in this series this one was not that good. It felt like it was
thrown together because coming towards the end what happened to the cop who was
following Fran so she wouldn't get attacked and where did Sammy come from out of the
blue. And a ceremony at the end - huh??? Nope made no sense.....hope #11 is a lot better
and back into the mood of the other books.
thrown together because coming towards the end what happened to the cop who was
following Fran so she wouldn't get attacked and where did Sammy come from out of the
blue. And a ceremony at the end - huh??? Nope made no sense.....hope #11 is a lot better
and back into the mood of the other books.
August 6, 2023
this was the worst one yet
fuck fran as per usual !!
fran’s internalised misogyny was combined with her hatred for anyone younger than her to bring us ephy, a new hire who fran badmouths at any given opportunity. she literally fucking dies and fran moves on easy as anything and acts as if everything is right in the world when SHE doesnt become a victim, forgetting ephy who was just caught in the crossfire - the last line is literally a joke about how she still needs to hire new staff like can you mourn this girl for a moment
i know the title literally references punch and poison so maybe it was clear to me because of that but upon fran saying the punch tastes funny then the entire party getting poisoned even she cant be stupid enough not to connect the dots. my fucking god
oh also there was a bit where a lab tech is about to put two samples in the same evidence bag and mike has to tell them not to. like shut the fuck up these techs know not to do that it’s just so unnecessary to try and make mike look good, my suspension of disbelief is not stretching that far. it’s a tiny detail but it pissed me off wildly
i also really felt the self insert vibes with this book like every time fran has an opinion OHHHHH you know that is actually the author’s opinion, the internalised misogyny continued with carly’s depiction and it’s just so obvious that that’s how lin views women too.
it was so violently blatant who the perpetrator was in this story that even i figured it out, and im not the kind of reader who tries to work out reveals
also fran was painfully up her own arse about literally everything but what’s new !!
fuck fran as per usual !!
fran’s internalised misogyny was combined with her hatred for anyone younger than her to bring us ephy, a new hire who fran badmouths at any given opportunity. she literally fucking dies and fran moves on easy as anything and acts as if everything is right in the world when SHE doesnt become a victim, forgetting ephy who was just caught in the crossfire - the last line is literally a joke about how she still needs to hire new staff like can you mourn this girl for a moment
i know the title literally references punch and poison so maybe it was clear to me because of that but upon fran saying the punch tastes funny then the entire party getting poisoned even she cant be stupid enough not to connect the dots. my fucking god
oh also there was a bit where a lab tech is about to put two samples in the same evidence bag and mike has to tell them not to. like shut the fuck up these techs know not to do that it’s just so unnecessary to try and make mike look good, my suspension of disbelief is not stretching that far. it’s a tiny detail but it pissed me off wildly
i also really felt the self insert vibes with this book like every time fran has an opinion OHHHHH you know that is actually the author’s opinion, the internalised misogyny continued with carly’s depiction and it’s just so obvious that that’s how lin views women too.
it was so violently blatant who the perpetrator was in this story that even i figured it out, and im not the kind of reader who tries to work out reveals
also fran was painfully up her own arse about literally everything but what’s new !!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 21, 2021
Something was missing
I really like this series because it reminds of made for tv mysteries. I do wonder why a new character was introduced just to kill her off, and the culprit doesn’t make sense. A stronger back story for the murderer would have been great.
I really like this series because it reminds of made for tv mysteries. I do wonder why a new character was introduced just to kill her off, and the culprit doesn’t make sense. A stronger back story for the murderer would have been great.
August 31, 2021
Fran and Matt are working hard and scarcely have time to see each other. Fran really needs to hire on more staff at the café but it's not going so well. Her only applicants are either overqualified or lacking. To take a break, Fran decides to hold a birthday party for Matt with all his friends. Since he only has a few friends, they decide to throw a joint birthday party at Antonias, which then morphs into an open house. Fran wants to make sure everything is perfect and whacks out some amazing puff pastry to make savory and sweet treats. On the day of the party everyone seems to be having a good time until Matt suddenly becomes unwell, followed by LITERALLY everyone else, including Fran and even Mike! Poor Mike must drag himself out of his sick bed the next day to investigate and unfortunately he suspects foul play. The bakery is off limits to Fran and soon it becomes clear she was the target! FOR REAL this time, Mike orders Fran to stay out of it, even placing her on house arrest. Can she solve the crime from her couch or will she have to sneak out and around Mike's officers? She WON'T let anyone else get hurt if it's the last thing she does.
This mystery was a little weak. First there's lots of baking technique, which I don't mind too much but this is a short book an it took up a lot of space. Then there's the party and things start happening after that. There's a shocking plot development midway through that made me very sad and gives the story a darker tone than the previous books. I didn't really care for the intrusion of modern life into the idyllic setting. When the clues were dropped, I was able to figure out whodunit and why. It was soo obvious even Fran saw it right away but dismissed it as too silly and too obvious. The conclusion was just ridiculous.
I don't know what else to say about Fran. At least this time she isn't being nosy or trying to show up Mike. She has a genuine reason to want to be involved and get this case solved. I don't blame her for being frustrated and trying to help move things along. She's a bit dimwitted though Matt is basically absent for the first half of the book and then he tries to be there for Fran, the poor dear. He's a sweetheart. I was surprised they aren't engaged yet but then Fran mentions they're coming up on the ONE year anniversary of her mother's death! Wow! That's a short timeframe for the number of books in the series. That explains why the romance isn't progressing as quickly as I would like. He spends the night but manages to be asleep at a key moment. Latte is the best puppy!
The usual cast of characters is fully present. Sammy is a sweetheart, as always. Rhonda plays a larger role in this story. She takes on the motherly role when Fran needs a little love. That shows a softer side of her. Mike is a good guy. He's trying here, he really is. He can't do his job and be Fran's friend at the same time. He's doing the best he can especially when he doesn't feel well. Todd, from the gym, turns out to be a new friend. He's a goodish guy I guess but it's not cool to secretly date a much younger woman. Karli is a pill. I don't get what he sees in her.
There's only two newcomers to the cast and one newcomer to Cape Bay. Ephy "don't call me Persephone" Phillips, a young woman in her 20s, applies to work at Antonia's. Fran is put off by the young woman's appearance and demeanor but she sure knows coffee. I think she's supposed to reflect the 20-somethings of today but that's a bad stereotype. I kind of like her for all her gruffness. The other newcomer is Dean Howard. He's a grumpy sourpuss and I wouldn't put it past him to try to get Antonia's shut down.
The recipes sound amazing! Except for the coffee. Coffee is gross. Fran at least has learned the fine art of tea brewing. She should do it more often. I look forward to seeing what Fran gets up to next- and Latte, of course!
This mystery was a little weak. First there's lots of baking technique, which I don't mind too much but this is a short book an it took up a lot of space. Then there's the party and things start happening after that. There's a shocking plot development midway through that made me very sad and gives the story a darker tone than the previous books. I didn't really care for the intrusion of modern life into the idyllic setting. When the clues were dropped, I was able to figure out whodunit and why. It was soo obvious even Fran saw it right away but dismissed it as too silly and too obvious. The conclusion was just ridiculous.
I don't know what else to say about Fran. At least this time she isn't being nosy or trying to show up Mike. She has a genuine reason to want to be involved and get this case solved. I don't blame her for being frustrated and trying to help move things along. She's a bit dimwitted though Matt is basically absent for the first half of the book and then he tries to be there for Fran, the poor dear. He's a sweetheart. I was surprised they aren't engaged yet but then Fran mentions they're coming up on the ONE year anniversary of her mother's death! Wow! That's a short timeframe for the number of books in the series. That explains why the romance isn't progressing as quickly as I would like. He spends the night but manages to be asleep at a key moment. Latte is the best puppy!
The usual cast of characters is fully present. Sammy is a sweetheart, as always. Rhonda plays a larger role in this story. She takes on the motherly role when Fran needs a little love. That shows a softer side of her. Mike is a good guy. He's trying here, he really is. He can't do his job and be Fran's friend at the same time. He's doing the best he can especially when he doesn't feel well. Todd, from the gym, turns out to be a new friend. He's a goodish guy I guess but it's not cool to secretly date a much younger woman. Karli is a pill. I don't get what he sees in her.
There's only two newcomers to the cast and one newcomer to Cape Bay. Ephy "don't call me Persephone" Phillips, a young woman in her 20s, applies to work at Antonia's. Fran is put off by the young woman's appearance and demeanor but she sure knows coffee. I think she's supposed to reflect the 20-somethings of today but that's a bad stereotype. I kind of like her for all her gruffness. The other newcomer is Dean Howard. He's a grumpy sourpuss and I wouldn't put it past him to try to get Antonia's shut down.
The recipes sound amazing! Except for the coffee. Coffee is gross. Fran at least has learned the fine art of tea brewing. She should do it more often. I look forward to seeing what Fran gets up to next- and Latte, of course!
November 16, 2022
Punch, Pastries, and Poison is the tenth book in Harper Lin’s Cape Bay Café Mystery series, and it is every bit as delectable as its predecessors. With clever mysteries and charming characters, this series just gets better and better.
Business is booming at the Cape Bay Café for Fran Amaro, so she decides it’s time to hire. Her new employee, Persephone (Ephy) proves to be quite an enigma. As busy as Fran is, her boyfriend, Matt is even more so, leaving them little time together. A joint birthday party – hosted at the Cape Bay Café – seems a great way for them to celebrate. The festive occasion goes awry, however, when a large percentage of the guests (and hosts) are sickened by what is initially thought to be food poisoning. When it is later determined to be poison, Fran’s relief that her food did not cause the illness turns to fear that one of her guests intentionally harmed the others. The café is immediately shut down for the police investigation, leaving Fran at her wit’s end. A subsequent death by poison heightens the suspense, and before she can reopen the café, Fran must help the police find the perpetrator ere he or she strikes again.
The characters her are marvelous. Fran is both practical and sympathetic. She has a good mind and a good heart. Matt may be obsessed with his work, but it is clear he cherishes Fran. And under detective Mike Stanton’s gruff exterior lies a heart of gold. This time, the mystery is especially good. It is refreshing to have an initial crime that is not murder. And with the whole town attending the party, there is a seemingly endless string of suspects. And there are enough twists and turns to keep Fran and Mike guessing. The subplots involving Ephy adds a great deal to the story, as does the ever-deepening relationship between Fran and Matt.
Overall, Punch, Pastries, and Poison is an outstanding book in an exceptional series. I will note that the narrator for this series has changed. It was a bit disconcerting at first (I had grown used to Marguerite Gavin as the voice of Fran), but Callie Beaulieu does an admirable job. I am eagerly awaiting the next installment.
Business is booming at the Cape Bay Café for Fran Amaro, so she decides it’s time to hire. Her new employee, Persephone (Ephy) proves to be quite an enigma. As busy as Fran is, her boyfriend, Matt is even more so, leaving them little time together. A joint birthday party – hosted at the Cape Bay Café – seems a great way for them to celebrate. The festive occasion goes awry, however, when a large percentage of the guests (and hosts) are sickened by what is initially thought to be food poisoning. When it is later determined to be poison, Fran’s relief that her food did not cause the illness turns to fear that one of her guests intentionally harmed the others. The café is immediately shut down for the police investigation, leaving Fran at her wit’s end. A subsequent death by poison heightens the suspense, and before she can reopen the café, Fran must help the police find the perpetrator ere he or she strikes again.
The characters her are marvelous. Fran is both practical and sympathetic. She has a good mind and a good heart. Matt may be obsessed with his work, but it is clear he cherishes Fran. And under detective Mike Stanton’s gruff exterior lies a heart of gold. This time, the mystery is especially good. It is refreshing to have an initial crime that is not murder. And with the whole town attending the party, there is a seemingly endless string of suspects. And there are enough twists and turns to keep Fran and Mike guessing. The subplots involving Ephy adds a great deal to the story, as does the ever-deepening relationship between Fran and Matt.
Overall, Punch, Pastries, and Poison is an outstanding book in an exceptional series. I will note that the narrator for this series has changed. It was a bit disconcerting at first (I had grown used to Marguerite Gavin as the voice of Fran), but Callie Beaulieu does an admirable job. I am eagerly awaiting the next installment.
April 27, 2022
I am not sure whether this is the last book in this series as Harper Lin has quite a lot of series going on at the same time, but I surely hope now.
Partly because I got a little addicted to these stories and I want some more. But also because it would be such an unsatisfying ending! So I want to believe this is just the latest book, not the last.
The story was so interesting at the start, I was really intrigued to find out who could have poisoned everyone, and when the attacks became targeted on Fran, it was even more exciting. I wasn’t really happy that and I think from then on I was a bit disappointed by how the story progressed. There is barely any investigating, and Fran is stuck at home the whole time, making like three phone calls. I found it very predictable that the
Also the culprit was quite obvious, I knew it was going to be either I get that most of these books are not meant to be hard mysteries but maybe this was a bit too predictable, and might be one of my least favourites so far.
Lastly, I was a bit thrown off by the change in narrator and was so sad that it wasn’t Marguerite Gavin, who I think gave a very good voice to Fran. But it didn’t take too much to get used to the new voice and I quite like her too.
Partly because I got a little addicted to these stories and I want some more. But also because it would be such an unsatisfying ending! So I want to believe this is just the latest book, not the last.
The story was so interesting at the start, I was really intrigued to find out who could have poisoned everyone, and when the attacks became targeted on Fran, it was even more exciting. I wasn’t really happy that and I think from then on I was a bit disappointed by how the story progressed. There is barely any investigating, and Fran is stuck at home the whole time, making like three phone calls. I found it very predictable that the
Also the culprit was quite obvious, I knew it was going to be either I get that most of these books are not meant to be hard mysteries but maybe this was a bit too predictable, and might be one of my least favourites so far.
Lastly, I was a bit thrown off by the change in narrator and was so sad that it wasn’t Marguerite Gavin, who I think gave a very good voice to Fran. But it didn’t take too much to get used to the new voice and I quite like her too.
June 3, 2025
I read the first 6 books. I decided to give the series another try and skipped to this book. I have to accept the fact that I just don't like Fran. I like almost everyone else in the book but her.
The culprit was obvious immediately after Fran's conversation with her pregnant friend. Even the reason for the bad guy's behavior was clear going back to the first few books in the series. Also, how rude was Fran's new hire to do what she did?
Fran was the queen of FAFO. She thinks she knows better than everyone. After 10 books, she still thinks she can do Mike's job better than him. It never occurred to her that maybe if she stopped withholding information from him that he could solve the case faster.
It would have been nice to know what happened to the cop who was following Fran. The last scenes in the book at the town hall waa a waste of time. The fact that no one seemed to understand why the culprit did what they did was also a bit ridiculous, even after they stated why they did it. Was there really room for confusion?
Matt wasn't in this book as much, and the way Fran treated him he should have gone home and stayed. Mike, Matt, Sammie, Ryan, Latte and Rhonda are all likable characters. Fran comes across as one of those people that pays lip service about her reasons for doing what she does when it is truly about het just doing what she wants to do.
The narration was fine.
The culprit was obvious immediately after Fran's conversation with her pregnant friend. Even the reason for the bad guy's behavior was clear going back to the first few books in the series. Also, how rude was Fran's new hire to do what she did?
Fran was the queen of FAFO. She thinks she knows better than everyone. After 10 books, she still thinks she can do Mike's job better than him. It never occurred to her that maybe if she stopped withholding information from him that he could solve the case faster.
It would have been nice to know what happened to the cop who was following Fran. The last scenes in the book at the town hall waa a waste of time. The fact that no one seemed to understand why the culprit did what they did was also a bit ridiculous, even after they stated why they did it. Was there really room for confusion?
Matt wasn't in this book as much, and the way Fran treated him he should have gone home and stayed. Mike, Matt, Sammie, Ryan, Latte and Rhonda are all likable characters. Fran comes across as one of those people that pays lip service about her reasons for doing what she does when it is truly about het just doing what she wants to do.
The narration was fine.
January 16, 2026
The narrator is different which is so off putting and really takes you out of the story! It didn’t feel like the same characters and I found it hard to get into at the beginning.
I liked the idea of our sleuth being the target but it felt a bit clunky - there were points throughout where I thought “this isn’t Fran”, Matt did some weird stuff (the speech about the birthday present? Not waking up when his girlfriend, who he knows is being hunted down, tries to wake him?), things just felt a bit off. There were also very few suspects which made it obvious who the culprit was.
Looking forward to the next (and last) one!
UPDATE because I can’t stop thinking about this.
Someone was in Fran’s house while she was sleeping to murder her. I don’t buy that Matt would leave her alone at night, no matter how bad their argument was. It was also really uncharacteristic of him to not text her for most of the following day, again knowing that someone is out to get her.
Fran shouting at Matt and Mike was also very unlike her. I know that she’d been having a traumatic few days and outbursts are expected, but some of the stuff she was coming out with was so unreasonable. I’m not sure what went wrong but this was my least favourite of the series because it didn’t feel like the characters were the ones I know and love. I’m really hoping the next one goes back to normal.
I liked the idea of our sleuth being the target but it felt a bit clunky - there were points throughout where I thought “this isn’t Fran”, Matt did some weird stuff (the speech about the birthday present? Not waking up when his girlfriend, who he knows is being hunted down, tries to wake him?), things just felt a bit off. There were also very few suspects which made it obvious who the culprit was.
Looking forward to the next (and last) one!
UPDATE because I can’t stop thinking about this.
Someone was in Fran’s house while she was sleeping to murder her. I don’t buy that Matt would leave her alone at night, no matter how bad their argument was. It was also really uncharacteristic of him to not text her for most of the following day, again knowing that someone is out to get her.
Fran shouting at Matt and Mike was also very unlike her. I know that she’d been having a traumatic few days and outbursts are expected, but some of the stuff she was coming out with was so unreasonable. I’m not sure what went wrong but this was my least favourite of the series because it didn’t feel like the characters were the ones I know and love. I’m really hoping the next one goes back to normal.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 13, 2024
Ugh, what a huge disappointment.
First off, the audio narrator changed. After 9 books with one voice, switching is wild.
Next, could the characters have been any more dense and insensitive.
Fran was almost unbearably stupid and borderline nasty. More of the book was dedicated to how annoyed she was to have to hire someone to work in the cafe than it was to the fact her employee got murdered.
Matt couldn’t have been made to look less appealing than if that had been the goal. I wanted to break up with him for her. Multiple times she’s been a target of a murder attempt, including someone breaking into their occupied home and he “really needs to go to the office”… are you kidding me?
Also… Fran is too scared to have the curtains open but is leaving her door unlocked and ordering take out…
And Karlie being the murderer is insanely moronic. Fran doesn’t even talk to Todd. Perhaps some of the book should have considered the fact that Karlie was a victim herself. She’s been working at the gym for years. She turns 19 and her 36 year old boss starts dating her and telling her to hide it from her parents. Disgusting. I didn’t like that in Todd’s gym murder book, now it’s even more upsetting.
So disappointing after the previous book being my favorite.
First off, the audio narrator changed. After 9 books with one voice, switching is wild.
Next, could the characters have been any more dense and insensitive.
Fran was almost unbearably stupid and borderline nasty. More of the book was dedicated to how annoyed she was to have to hire someone to work in the cafe than it was to the fact her employee got murdered.
Matt couldn’t have been made to look less appealing than if that had been the goal. I wanted to break up with him for her. Multiple times she’s been a target of a murder attempt, including someone breaking into their occupied home and he “really needs to go to the office”… are you kidding me?
Also… Fran is too scared to have the curtains open but is leaving her door unlocked and ordering take out…
And Karlie being the murderer is insanely moronic. Fran doesn’t even talk to Todd. Perhaps some of the book should have considered the fact that Karlie was a victim herself. She’s been working at the gym for years. She turns 19 and her 36 year old boss starts dating her and telling her to hide it from her parents. Disgusting. I didn’t like that in Todd’s gym murder book, now it’s even more upsetting.
So disappointing after the previous book being my favorite.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 7, 2024
Francesca is in her mid-thirties and worked in New York for many years in PR. She moved back home to run the family Italian café in a small town in Massachusetts when her mother passed away almost a year ago.
Fran plans a joint birthday party for Matt, her boyfriend, and her birthdays and has it at her café. Everyone in their small town is invited and Fran and her staff do all the preparation of the food and punch. During the party, though, everyone gets sick and food poisoning is suspected. When the police investigate, though, it's discovered that someone intentionally poisoned what Fran has prepared and she wonders why?
This is the tenth in the Cape Bay Cafe Mystery Series (I've read them all) by this author ... it works as a stand alone (you don't have to read the others to know what's going on). This book is written in first person perspective in Fran's voice. The "whodunnit" and ending came together quickly. It was a quick light read and is a "cozy mystery" so there is no swearing, violence or adult activity. There are recipes at the end.
Blog review post: http://www.teenaintoronto.com/2024/02...
Fran plans a joint birthday party for Matt, her boyfriend, and her birthdays and has it at her café. Everyone in their small town is invited and Fran and her staff do all the preparation of the food and punch. During the party, though, everyone gets sick and food poisoning is suspected. When the police investigate, though, it's discovered that someone intentionally poisoned what Fran has prepared and she wonders why?
This is the tenth in the Cape Bay Cafe Mystery Series (I've read them all) by this author ... it works as a stand alone (you don't have to read the others to know what's going on). This book is written in first person perspective in Fran's voice. The "whodunnit" and ending came together quickly. It was a quick light read and is a "cozy mystery" so there is no swearing, violence or adult activity. There are recipes at the end.
Blog review post: http://www.teenaintoronto.com/2024/02...
May 10, 2021
Wanting to do something special for Matt for his birthday, Fran ends up throwing a joint birthday party as an open house at the café. Reading about the incredible list of food she prepared for the occasion was enough to make anyone drool! She went all out from sweets to savories in every imaginable form. It was fortunate that she had found another person to hire to work in the café because otherwise Fran wouldn't have had time for all that baking.
When almost everyone at the party starts getting sick, the night ends in a total disaster. After Fran finds out someone poisoned the punch, she begins sleuthing to find the culprit. But wait, there's more!
You are going to have to read this for yourself to find out all the unbelievable things that happen and how Fran "helps" Detective Mike find some answers. It is unlike any of the previous Cape Bay mysteries, and one you won't want to miss. Tons of great characters-some old friends and some new. And shockers with a terrific ending to keep you glued to the page until the very end. It was fantastic!
When almost everyone at the party starts getting sick, the night ends in a total disaster. After Fran finds out someone poisoned the punch, she begins sleuthing to find the culprit. But wait, there's more!
You are going to have to read this for yourself to find out all the unbelievable things that happen and how Fran "helps" Detective Mike find some answers. It is unlike any of the previous Cape Bay mysteries, and one you won't want to miss. Tons of great characters-some old friends and some new. And shockers with a terrific ending to keep you glued to the page until the very end. It was fantastic!
March 6, 2022
What I read: Punch, Pastries, and Poison by Harper Lin
Why I picked it up: The last (as of now) in this series set on Cape Bay. Needed something to listen to while I pulled weeds again, and I pulled weeds for the entirety of this book!
How I read it: On audio while pulling weeds. It’s 5 hours but I listened at 1.75x speed, still a lot of weed pulling and my back is screaming about it!
What it’s about: Matt’s birthday is coming up, and Fran decides to throw a joint party for them (hers is just a few weeks later). But everything goes down hill when almost everyone at the party starts getting sick. Someone’s trying to kill Fran!
What I liked: It felt like a great conclusion to the series, although Fran and Matt still haven’t gotten married (or even engaged)!
What I disliked: The jealousy. It’s part of the motive but it was so stupid of the character. Although they aren’t all that bright!
Genre: Cozy mystery.
Rating & Recommendation: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ and yes, as part of the series. It doesn’t make sense alone. Also this one has a new narrator which took some getting used to!
Why I picked it up: The last (as of now) in this series set on Cape Bay. Needed something to listen to while I pulled weeds again, and I pulled weeds for the entirety of this book!
How I read it: On audio while pulling weeds. It’s 5 hours but I listened at 1.75x speed, still a lot of weed pulling and my back is screaming about it!
What it’s about: Matt’s birthday is coming up, and Fran decides to throw a joint party for them (hers is just a few weeks later). But everything goes down hill when almost everyone at the party starts getting sick. Someone’s trying to kill Fran!
What I liked: It felt like a great conclusion to the series, although Fran and Matt still haven’t gotten married (or even engaged)!
What I disliked: The jealousy. It’s part of the motive but it was so stupid of the character. Although they aren’t all that bright!
Genre: Cozy mystery.
Rating & Recommendation: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ and yes, as part of the series. It doesn’t make sense alone. Also this one has a new narrator which took some getting used to!
December 14, 2022
I really really think that the author should have stopped with the 9th book. Not only am I upset with the change in the audio book narrator. Plus, the stupidity in this book is too much. The characters were all wrong. The main lead was just so jumbled. I feel like it was a mistake listening to this book. It felt too wordy and just haphazardly written. It just doesn't sound like the other books in the same series. It sounds like it's written forcefully. Like the random joke scene that was thrusted into a serious moment. The ladies are in a shock moment, and one of them just happens to crack jokes just because she thinks they need one, despite fully knowing that the situation is dire. Not to mention the idiotic behavior of the main lead when everything is pointing toward one this she goes against her better judgment and ignores it.
I'm already feel sick from a cold, and this book is absolutely NOT helping. I'm getting another head. I think I'm done with Harper Lin's books.
Goodbye
PS. I kinda wish she died towards the end of the book. She's just such a lame character in this book.
I'm already feel sick from a cold, and this book is absolutely NOT helping. I'm getting another head. I think I'm done with Harper Lin's books.
Goodbye
PS. I kinda wish she died towards the end of the book. She's just such a lame character in this book.
March 4, 2025
When Fran decides to throw a big birthday party for herself and her boyfriend Matt, she jumps into party planner mode making sure she had carefully planned every detail of a fran-tastic event! One thing she could have never planned for however, was nearly every guest at the party getting seriously ill after tasting her delicious treats. Something seems off... and its not just the food. Fran finds herself taking off her party planner apron and switching it for a detective hat to get to the bottom of what really happened at the party.
This book was a deliciously delightful cozy mystery book. I loved the details describing how Fran made complex pastries and yummy treats, making me want to experiment with them at home. It was a tad bit predictable in places, but it was so cute that I didn't care! I loved that this was a clean read the entire book through. It is not the first in the series, but worked great for someone new to the series (as was my case). Just a sweet fun book that was delicious the whole read through!
This book was a deliciously delightful cozy mystery book. I loved the details describing how Fran made complex pastries and yummy treats, making me want to experiment with them at home. It was a tad bit predictable in places, but it was so cute that I didn't care! I loved that this was a clean read the entire book through. It is not the first in the series, but worked great for someone new to the series (as was my case). Just a sweet fun book that was delicious the whole read through!
May 10, 2022
I actually enjoy this series but Fran and her snobby (and sometimes really judgmental) comments are getting to be an irritation. We get it, you like quality coffee beans and people who wear clothes you wouldn't bother you greatly. In this one and the last one that snobby opinion thing was heavy, I thought.
Also, it really, really, really bugged me that
Also, it really, really, really bugged me that
Displaying 1 - 30 of 100 reviews