Coffee, Kids, and a Kidnapping

Charlotte Ritter #1

by Alyssa Helton

Charlotte Ritter is a survivor and so much more. As a highly caffeinated go-getter busy raising three teenage kids on her own while juggling a full-time job at a family law practice, Charlotte has always dealt with things one day and one cup of coffee at a time. It’s not always easy, especially with a highly autistic teenager and a new, snarky paralegal that was recently hired at the firm, but she manages. Then one day her average but hectic life gets turned upside down when her boss asks her to do some simple research for an adoption case. Charlotte’s talent for connecting dots that most people don’t see, leads her to believe there may have been an abduction that no one even knows about. Has she gone off the deep end or is she right and two people’s lives may be at stake? The only person who believes her is her close friend and co-worker Cole. The deeper the unlikely pair look for the truth, the worse things seem to get as Charlotte’s tenacity leads them down a very dangerous path. Pour yourself a cup of your favorite coffee and check out the first case in the Charlotte Ritter Cozy Mysteries.

Genres: Fiction, Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Cozy, Contemporary

158 pages, Paperback

First published November 27, 2017

Reviews

[Virginia Henderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of those free downloads I've been neglecting for years. This is also one of those same books that fills me with regret that I've waited THIS long to finally read. Started and finished in one night. 4.5 rating

I think my favorite aspect of the story were the characters and the family dynamics. I enjoyed seeing Charlotte interact with her kids: Carrie, Joseph and Tommy. I appreciated how much time Charlotte spent with her family despite being a full time researcher at a law firm. One of her kids, Tommy, was autistic. I've never read a book with an autistic character but I have worked with autistic children in schools before. I really appreciated that there was not one hint of pity towards Tommy's disability.

The mystery aspect was interesting. It took a little time to solve, which was good, (no one likes a mystery solved in the first chapter) and it wasn't too horribly predictable.

As for the Christian content there were moments of praise and worship and Bible studies.

Okay. The Gaggle of Grannies just made my day. They reminded me so so much of some of the sweet older ladies at my old church who "adopted" me as their granddaughter. Maybe a little too much...lol. Especially Mama Pat AKA Granny Oakley. Oh my goodness! I laughed way too hard. I recently applied for my LTC so the parts at the Femme Fatale Arms and Training were pure gold in my opinion.

Overall there was a nice balance of faith, family and work. But coffee tips the scales, lol. I believe coffee runs through Charlotte's veins. This was an enjoyable and clean read and I look forward to continuing the series. Recommend to all mystery-solving, coffee enthusiasts who value family time.

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

Recap: Charlie is a single mum with three kids, two of them on the spectrum. She holds down a full time job and drinks a lot of coffee! Her work includes confirming children up for adoption have no outstanding relatives wanting to make a claim.

Review: A real insight into Charlie's daily life which speaks of experience either on the job front or the special needs kids scenario. The characters feel drawn from real life and the dialogue, on the whole, is pretty natural. I don't read many first person POV books but this was done well, maintaining pace and interest. I'm not religious yet found the references to church and daily devotions interesting at how integrated it was in her life. Oh and there's lots of chicken dinners as well as coffee lol.

[Lynne Moody · Rating 5 out of 5]

All the characters are wonderful to read about. Having a family during this time the main character has to search for relative of a child waiting to be adopted , So the adopted can do through. But they are missing. She may be kidnapped or missing maybe even ran off. All the twists and turns will have you on the edge of your seat and wishing the best for all.

[Destiny Adams · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had a great concept. I love the way the protagonist two autistic children were portrayed. Honestly, they were the highlight of the story. I did find the book a bit predictable. It lacked suspense and excitement. Overall, this book was a good, quick read.

[Loretta TheMoodyRedhead · Rating 5 out of 5]

I did enjoy this book and it gave me what I’ve been craving and that is some of God’s word and guidance. It also gave me some crime solving and love of family. My hope is that eventually Charlotte find a man to love and be a good provider (father) to her and her children.

I liked the relationship Charlotte has with her kids and how she does so well with her autistic son. Tommy hasn’t shown his “acting out” side yet, but since this is a series of three books I’m sure we’ll see each one of the three kids misbehaving.

I enjoyed the book enough to continue to book 2, ‘Frappes, Flamingos, and a Fireman”

[Kate Wells · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like Charlotte. Single mother of autistic children. A family that looks disfunctional from the outside but Charlotte is able to let them all be themselves so it works for them. She is empathetic, dogged, and can exhibit snark when called upon. I liked the family stuff as much as the mystery. I almost balked at reading it when I realised it was a 'Christian' novel, however the author wove it in without bashing the reader over the head with her faith. Received as complimentary copy from the author in return for an honest review.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first in the series and the first time reading this author. The main character is Charlotte who works for a lawyer who deals in adoptions. She is also a single mother with 3 kids. She is trying to find the aunt of a little boy who is going to be adopted. She can find her and believes the woman's husbanf did something to her and their little girl. It is interesting to see how her mind works. I really enjoyed this book.

[Nicole Cox · Rating 3 out of 5]

I will admit that it being a “Christian” cozy, I almost passed on this book thinking it might be preachy and I’m not one who subscribes to any dogmatic belief system. But I decided to keep an open mind and give it go. The mom is real and relatable, the kids are great. Alyssa Helton did a fabulous job of showing how the mom’s faith expresses itself in her life without being the least bit preachy.

[hana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful read

Single mum with 3 children and 2 of them are with autism, Charlotte Ritter struggles to fit home and work surviving on coffee and guts. Working as researcher for a law firm dealing with adoption cases, Charlotte come across a missing relatives.

[Jean Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story. Loved the characters and their interactions.

[Connie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Coffee, Kids, and a Kidnapping

A quick entertaining read with multiple challenges in a single mother's life with family and her job. She runs into trouble when she starts investigating the disappearance of a mother and her child.

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

An entertaining and amusing read caracters are vibrant, mischievous and make you smile. A True cozey in every sense of the word. Aquier a copy today so you yourself can enjoy reading it as much as I have. 😊Kat

[Mummy's Naughty Corner · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was interesting. |It grabbed me from the start and I couldn't put it down. The mystery was good, the characters all had their own identity which worked well together and I'm interested to see what could happen next.

[Laurel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Clean Christian quick read mystery. I was very happy with the way two of her autistic children were portrayed. Each very different and successful in different ways. The book itself was fairly shallow, but it did have an ending.

[Debby Dillon · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun short read. The family seemed so sweet and the story intrigued me!

[Belinda Mann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book 1 in The Charlotte Ritter Mystery Series. Coffee loving Charlotte, single mom to three teenagers- her middle child highly autistic- works for a family law firm that specializes in adoptions.
Her boss assigns her to do research for an adoption case and as Charlotte begins checking into leads, she becomes suspicious of a member of the child's family and starts her own investigation. She finds out 2 other members of the family are missing and her boss doesn't believe there is a crime and tells Charlotte to leave it alone and let the police handle it. Charlotte is dealing with the bad tempered paralegal Ginny, who is only part time, always asking nosey questions and wanting Charlotte to do her work so she doesn't mess up her well-manicured nails.
Charlotte doesn't leave it alone though, and her friend and co-worker Cole offers to help her investigate the husband of the missing family member and their daughter, so she is not out alone in a possibly dangerous situation. Turns out, there is a lot more to the investigation than either one of them imagined.
I loved and enjoyed the Gaggle of Grannies from Charlotte's church and how protective they are of Charlotte and her children. I enjoyed the story and can understand what all it involves raising children alone and working fulltime. There is mystery and a lot of cheep factor. I highly recommend this series.

[Tita · Rating 1 out of 5]

The book feels like the third in a series, because the POV speaks as though the reader gets where she's coming from or has a clue as to back story. Couldn't figure out what the real "feeling" was that motivated this story. The main character just stepped outside of her job description to investigate something that was never really made clear. She calls God the big guy, is a busybody, the author gave the only Black person a diminutive name, her kids have no real chores (what?). The author gives free impression that all good Christian people need a gun. Not just a fun for pressure protection, by the biggest gun she could get! In all for protection, but, she could have taken a smaller weapon and had just as much protection. By then, it's Florida. What a terrible way to witness for the Gospel (not just weaponize Christianity).

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This lady who worked at a law firm who mostly dealt with adoptions and the paper work involved in them. She had some kids and one was autistic and she was raising them by herself. She came across a case where these people wanted to adopt this little boy but they had to make sure no other family member wanted the boy. Thru out her investigating she found the name of a relative. So she sets out to find her so she can sign off on the adoption papers. Thats where things get started and problems arise for her. She continued to investigate and finds more than she bargained for in the end.

[Krystyna · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Internet can lead to surprising discoveries

Wonderful read from an author who really understands autism. Single with three children (and with two with autism) she struggles to fit home and work into a seamless unit. Especially as she works as a researcher for a law firm dealing with adoption cases. One such case has her conflicted. The aunt and her daughter have gone missing and no one has seen them for sometime. Kidnapping, assault and threats are mixed into a plot that is down to earth and real. The characters a beautifully portrayed and come over as being real.

[Melissa · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received this from either an author's newsletter giveaway or Story Origin or Book Funnel. It was a pretty good story, and I wish I could have given it three stars. Actually, again I wish I could have given it two and a half. Goodreads should add the ability to use half stars. There were too many printing errors, and I am not a fan of Christian overload in the form of Bible verses or prayers. It's a clean cozy, and I recommend it to someone who doesn't mind the Christian prayers and Bible verses.

[Maryann Skaritka · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this short and fun cozy mystery. This is the first book in the series but I have read a few others.
Single mom Charlotte leads a very busy life. She works as a researcher for a law firm and has three teens, one who is autistic.
The mystery finds her trying to find a missing mom and daughter while she processes their relatives adoption case.
Coworker Cole is a fun character who always has Charlotte’s back.
When Charlotte oversteps her duties and uses her sleuthing and mystery solving skills her life is put in danger. There’s a satisfying ending. A faith thread is in the book but it doesn’t distract from the story at all.
A fun and quick reading escape.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book!

I'm actually shocked at what a great story this talented author was able to put in these few pages. She presented her characters so well, and managed to present an in depth and believable plot full of interesting people and exciting situations. I definitely recommend this book and this author!

[Jini Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

fun, cute cozy Christian mystery

Cute, cozy mystery! Loved the inclusion of Christian aspects and yet making the characters very normal and not self-righteous. Funny and loved the relationships between the characters.

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Its a very short read

Its also a little Christian based for anyone that hates religion.

No romance, nice quick mystery which isn't much of a mystery but its a good read.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

pretty good book, needs to be classified as a "christian" cozy though

[Evonne Hutton · Rating 4 out of 5]

A woman and her daughter has gone missing.
Despite carrying a full load she is determined to find them.
A somewhat different story line

[Charlotte Dance · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good concept. Made me interested enough to want to read the other books in the series.

[SUE · Rating 3 out of 5]

good story that was difficult to put down.

[Marcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent story about a woman who gets in deeper than she expects when trying to locate a relative of a child who is about to be adopted.

[Deborah Troxell · Rating 5 out of 5]

A clean cozy mystery with main characters I can relate to. I love the way the single Mom relates to her 3 teenagers.