Fresh Brewed Murder (#1)
Master barista Sage Caplin is opening a new coffee cart in Portland, Oregon, but a killer is brewing up a world of trouble…
Portland is famous for its rain, hipsters, craft beers…and coffee. Sage Caplin has high hopes for her coffee truck, Ground Rules, which she runs with her business partner, Harley–a genius at roasting beans and devising new blends. That’s essential in a city where locals have intensely strong opinions about cappuccino versus macchiato–especially in the case of one of Sage’s very first customers…
Sage finds the man’s body in front of her truck, a fatal slash across his neck. There’s been plenty of anger in the air, from long-time vendors annoyed at Ground Rules taking a coveted spot in the food truck lot, to protestors demonstrating against a new high-rise. But who was mad enough to commit murder? Sage is already fending off trouble in the form of her estranged, con-artist mother, who’s trying to trickle back into her life. But when Sage’s very own box cutter is discovered to be the murder weapon, she needs to focus on finding the killer fast–before her business, and her life, come to a bitter end…
Reviews
"Lively characters help propel the intricate plot. Cozy fans will hope to see a lot more of Sage and friends."
"Coffee-lovers, this book is for you...a great debut!"
"Portland's beloved food carts provide a tantalizing backdrop for a new cozy mystery...Using a food cart pod as the setting for the story is a creative way to address both the quirkiness and the more dismaying aspects of life in contemporary Portland."The Sunday Oregonian
"While the story is mostly light and fun, Emmeline brings important subjects such as homelessness, food insecurity, and gentrification into the story."
"[A] brilliant kick-off to a new series with Duncan delivering a sweet treat infused with humor, suspense, surprises, and family drama."
"A promising start to a brand new cozy mystery series, Fresh Brewed Murder tackles some tougher topics but never loses that overall cozy vibe that readers love."