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Maggy Thorsen Mystery #8
Murder on the Orient Espresso
It’s November and Maggy Thorsen, co-owner of the Wisconsin gourmet coffeehouse, Uncommon Grounds, is in South Florida at an annual crime-writers’ conference with her beau, local sheriff Jake Pavlik, who is due to speak as a ‘forensics expert’.
Maggy’s pledge to behave solely as a tourist becomes trickier than she anticipated when the conference’s opening night event turns out to be a re-enactment of Agatha Christie’s classic, Murder on the Orient Express. As Maggy and Jake reluctantly set off on the night train to the Everglades to solve the ‘crime’, it’s clear that, as in the original novel, nothing is quite what it seems. And amidst rumours of careers taken, manuscripts stolen and vows broken, it seems that in the Everglades – as in life – the predator all too often becomes the prey.
Maggy’s pledge to behave solely as a tourist becomes trickier than she anticipated when the conference’s opening night event turns out to be a re-enactment of Agatha Christie’s classic, Murder on the Orient Express. As Maggy and Jake reluctantly set off on the night train to the Everglades to solve the ‘crime’, it’s clear that, as in the original novel, nothing is quite what it seems. And amidst rumours of careers taken, manuscripts stolen and vows broken, it seems that in the Everglades – as in life – the predator all too often becomes the prey.
208 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2013
23 people are currently reading
1009 people want to read
About the author
Sandra Balzo
31 books238 followersSandra Balzo is an award-winning author of crime fiction, including fourteen books in two mystery series--one set outside Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and the other in the High Country of North Carolina. MURDER a la Mocha, the eleventh Maggy Thorsen Wisconsin coffeehouse mystery, will be released in January, and the series has been optioned for development as a TV series/film.
Balzo's books have garnered starred reviews from Kirkus and Booklist, while being recommended to readers of Janet Evanovich, Charlaine Harris, Joan Hess and Margaret Maron.
In addition to Twitter and her website, Sandy also hangs out at https://www.facebook.com/SandraBalzoM... and http://pinterest.com/sandrabalzo/
Balzo's books have garnered starred reviews from Kirkus and Booklist, while being recommended to readers of Janet Evanovich, Charlaine Harris, Joan Hess and Margaret Maron.
In addition to Twitter and her website, Sandy also hangs out at https://www.facebook.com/SandraBalzoM... and http://pinterest.com/sandrabalzo/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews
May 18, 2015
Coffee shop owner Maggy Thorsen and her handsome sheriff boyfriend Jake Pavlik leave behind the wearisome weather of Wisconsin in November for a mystery writers’ conference in South Florida. But, while Maggy may have left cold weather and the affluent Milwaukee suburb of Brookhills behind, she won’t be able to ditch a rendezvous with another murder.
Sheriff Pavlik, as a forensics expert, will be speaking at the conference. But he and Maggy are first tapped to fill in as actors on a re-enactment of Agatha Christie’s classic Murder on the Orient Express, with a train from Fort Lauderdale to the Everglades substituting for the Paris-to-Istanbul train of the 1934 novel.
Author Sandra Balzo’s clearly having fun with a gentle parody of a Golden Age mystery, but she imbues the characters with memorable personalities. While Maggy sort of stumbles onto the identity of the murderer, the ending —and the novel as a whole — are well done. Plus, I enjoyed seeing Maggy and Jake in a different setting for a change.
One quibble: Balzo’s novel rates four states; however, Karen Savage, the narrator of the Audible version, doesn’t match her usual charming standard. Whenever she says railroad magnate Henry Flagler’s name — which is often — Savage mispronounces it as Flāg´-lər rather than as Flăg´-lər. As a Miami resident for 17 years, it was like fingernails on a chalkboard! Savage further sprinkles other mispronunciations of local landmarks throughout the novel. Opt for the Kindle or paperback edition instead if, like me, that will drive you crazy.
Sheriff Pavlik, as a forensics expert, will be speaking at the conference. But he and Maggy are first tapped to fill in as actors on a re-enactment of Agatha Christie’s classic Murder on the Orient Express, with a train from Fort Lauderdale to the Everglades substituting for the Paris-to-Istanbul train of the 1934 novel.
Author Sandra Balzo’s clearly having fun with a gentle parody of a Golden Age mystery, but she imbues the characters with memorable personalities. While Maggy sort of stumbles onto the identity of the murderer, the ending —and the novel as a whole — are well done. Plus, I enjoyed seeing Maggy and Jake in a different setting for a change.
One quibble: Balzo’s novel rates four states; however, Karen Savage, the narrator of the Audible version, doesn’t match her usual charming standard. Whenever she says railroad magnate Henry Flagler’s name — which is often — Savage mispronounces it as Flāg´-lər rather than as Flăg´-lər. As a Miami resident for 17 years, it was like fingernails on a chalkboard! Savage further sprinkles other mispronunciations of local landmarks throughout the novel. Opt for the Kindle or paperback edition instead if, like me, that will drive you crazy.
January 22, 2018
A good twist on Murder on Orient Express with lot of comical puns most of all the title .But the charities of the Sheriff is boring he just wooden.
January 27, 2016
4.5 stars
Since I ended up loving this, sorry to say I didn't start with the beginning of the series and instead jumped in with book eight. There's obviously been some kind of romantic back story I missed out on with it's development; still, it was a smooth enough transition and it's not a series you have to read prior books to for it to work.
Maggy Thorsen and her boyfriend Jake Pavlik have gone to Florida for the sheriff to speak at a writer's conference. That conference is opening it's weekend by having the guests on a train as part of a writer's getaway weekend. The train is re-enacting Agatha Christie's Murder on the Orient Express. Things, of course, don't always go smoothly.
As far as mysteries go, it's a great one. There's plenty of suspects all crammed in together in tight quarters, so of course any of them could have been the murderer. Maggy doesn't know anyone so she is learning motive and backstory as the story progresses. I wasn't sure until the buildup who the victim would even be, as the author doesn't dive immediately into the killing of the person.
The interactions with each of the characters and how they tie together is probably the best part of the book. Loved it.
The ending is a nice twist on who it was - I started suspecting the person by playing the "murder mystery solving rule", but I wasn't sure and it wasn't predictable. There were genuine red herrings and clues, giving the reader their own chance to solve the crime along with the heroine.
Maggy's an incredible lead - she's funny, not uptight and prudish, has realistic insecurities, and loves coffee. Unlike some cozies, there is some profanity and sexual play in this one, so it's more realistic. The humor is hilarious when it happens and what really makes this book brew - the discovery of the body especially held me in laughs. Fun stuff.
The ending is sympathetic and, again, I love Maggy and how she handles stuff. With the intriguing mystery, the excellent characters, hilarious and non-forced humor, I can't wait to read more of this series and highly recommend it to all cozy mystery fans.
January 11, 2014
I stopped reading when the man-eating python stopped the train and the visiting sheriff went to the rescue with his Swiss Army knife.
August 19, 2017
.
Each book contains a cozy mystery, entertainment, and a sensible woman sleuth. In this book I was pleased to learn some things about the Florida Everglades that was not aware of.
I find that I enjoy this series alot. I also appreciate that each book can stand on its own and they deliver an HEA.
Each book contains a cozy mystery, entertainment, and a sensible woman sleuth. In this book I was pleased to learn some things about the Florida Everglades that was not aware of.
I find that I enjoy this series alot. I also appreciate that each book can stand on its own and they deliver an HEA.
March 10, 2014
On the front of this book is a quote from a review which states "This amusing well-written entry should win Balzo more fans". Well, not this reader.
I started this book with high hopes after reading the first couple of pages in the library. It appeared to offer the promise of witty dialogue from intriguing characters and a lively plot. But after a while it all became too much and heavy-handed.
The author's effort to emulate Christie by giving many characters the motive/opportunity to commit the crime was confusing to say the least and the wholeplot took forever to get going. By the middle of the book I was wondering when the promised murder was going to take place, by three quarters of the way through, I'd figured out who the murderer was and was thinking of returning the book and by the last page I was seriously wondering why I'd bothered at all.
If Ms Balzo is serious about writing witty, light-hearted crime fiction she should learn that less is often more and take lessons from the master of the genre, Janet Evanovich who does it so well.
I started this book with high hopes after reading the first couple of pages in the library. It appeared to offer the promise of witty dialogue from intriguing characters and a lively plot. But after a while it all became too much and heavy-handed.
The author's effort to emulate Christie by giving many characters the motive/opportunity to commit the crime was confusing to say the least and the wholeplot took forever to get going. By the middle of the book I was wondering when the promised murder was going to take place, by three quarters of the way through, I'd figured out who the murderer was and was thinking of returning the book and by the last page I was seriously wondering why I'd bothered at all.
If Ms Balzo is serious about writing witty, light-hearted crime fiction she should learn that less is often more and take lessons from the master of the genre, Janet Evanovich who does it so well.
July 2, 2019
Haven't read anything this bad.
December 13, 2020
A cozy mystery in which a group of Mystery club conference attendees boards a train posing as characters from Christie's Murder on the Orient Express, when a real murder occurs and the train is stranded in the Everglades. Not bad, but cozy mysteries are not really my thing, and I found all the theorizing by the narrator a bit tedious. And the abundance of enormous snakes wasn't very realistic.
July 20, 2019
A good twist on the old story
December 3, 2013
Maggie and her boyfriend Jake Pavlik, Pavlik as Maggie likes to call him were off to Florida for a mystery writers conference. Maggie had visions of a passion filled weekend. That was until the busty Zoe showed up and had plans of her own for Jake. Zoe was not thrilled that Maggie and Jake were sharing more than a room together, but Zoe needed to get ready for the nights fun. Murder on the orient espresso, a Agatha Christie based murder train ride. On the bus ride to the train Maggie learned a lot about all the other guests. A lot of the guests seems to dislike one another and some even appeared to be old flames. Including Zoe and her boyfriend Jake. The guests were ready to enjoy a murder mystery when one of the guests went missing. Little did this group of readers, writers and reviewers know they were actually in a murder mystery themselves.
I truly enjoyed this book. I loved the characters and the detail about Laurence the book reviewer that is not always nice to authors made me laugh. The characters in the book truly are that. The book reminded me of the movie clue with all the outragous personalities. I got a kick out of the fact they see a story and opportunity where ever they look, even if it is a dead body. A great read, can be read in a day, and once you open this book you won’t want to put it down.
Rating: 4.5
Heat Rating: Sweet
Reviewed: By Rae
Courtesy Of My Book Addiction And More
I truly enjoyed this book. I loved the characters and the detail about Laurence the book reviewer that is not always nice to authors made me laugh. The characters in the book truly are that. The book reminded me of the movie clue with all the outragous personalities. I got a kick out of the fact they see a story and opportunity where ever they look, even if it is a dead body. A great read, can be read in a day, and once you open this book you won’t want to put it down.
Rating: 4.5
Heat Rating: Sweet
Reviewed: By Rae
Courtesy Of My Book Addiction And More
February 6, 2014
YUK! Because this story took place away from the coffeehouse, much of the book was regulated to the introduction of new places + people--TOO MUCH! It took several times putting the book down and picking it back up [due to snow I had no other read and was forced to abandon or else] when I had FINALLY gotten thru 3/4 of the book, it took off. if the weather would have been different--I would have returned the book to the library! UNFINISHED
March 15, 2015
This is the eighth book in the Maggy Thorsen Mystery series. This time Maggy has accompanied Jake Pavlik to Fort Lauderdale , Florida for an annnual crime writers conference. As part of the conference, everyone gets on a train for a ride into the Everglades. During the trip, a murder occurs and the train runs into problems. Maggy and Jake try to solve the case. The book was a quick easy read.
August 19, 2014
It was really awesome! There was a lot of edge of my seat moments!
December 29, 2017
I don't know where to begin, but I should have stopped when I got to the Python. It was downhill after that.
September 22, 2018
I can't even begin to explain how boring this story is. I got halfway and I just couldn't finish it. Don't waste your time on this book like I did!!
February 2, 2022
Not enough coffee, too much python.
January 1, 2014
Drawn out story, I love cozy mysteries but this one was dull.
September 19, 2024
When her boyfriend Sheriff Jake Pavlik gets invited to a literary event in Florida, event planner turned coffeehouse owner Maggy tags along. Though having some experience with murder mysteries in real life, Maggy is more interested in the vacation portion of this trip away from winter in Wisconsin. The first activity of the weekend is a murder mystery train, where everyone has a role to play as they take a train from Ft Lauderdale into the Everglades in a reenactment of Murder on the Orient Express (espresso martinis are on the menu of course). The train is filled with aspiring writers, critics, and publishers, plus Maggy and Jake. Maggy finds some of the attendees more tolerable than others, as she takes pity on unofficial event planner Missy. Others, such as conference organizer Zoe, she wouldn't trust as far as she could throw them. The group isn't expecting any real crimes tonight, but then most things happen when we least expect them.
I loved the idea of the murder mystery train and the twist on the theme (with the espresso elements). The cast of characters was befitting of the scenes they were to play out, if a bit one dimensional. Maggy was overall annoying, though she did a decent job of figuring out the crime. Still, the story was engaging and using the Everglades as the backdrop spiced things up quite a bit. I appreciated the emphasis on the python vs alligator problem.
I loved the idea of the murder mystery train and the twist on the theme (with the espresso elements). The cast of characters was befitting of the scenes they were to play out, if a bit one dimensional. Maggy was overall annoying, though she did a decent job of figuring out the crime. Still, the story was engaging and using the Everglades as the backdrop spiced things up quite a bit. I appreciated the emphasis on the python vs alligator problem.
July 10, 2017
My two star rating is generous based on the fact I haven't read the previous 8 books in this series. I think it's kind of ironic that a story with the premise of a bunch of authors taking offense to a book reviewer bad reviews would irk my sorry comments but this book was hard to finish. It has been a long time since I read Agatha Christie but I was never left disappointed like I was with this abomination. Granted I have been told I missed the allegory when I expressed displeasure over a book but in this case the man eating pythons did me in. I found this neither humorous or entertaining. The authors using multiple names for characters to match them up with the Christie book made it confusing as she stopped halfway through the book and made me wonder who the person was. The fact that the investigation stopped after the fourth of fifth character made me think the author was confused at how the story proceed
I liked Maggiy Thorsen but thought the other characters were weak. The chemistry between Maggy and Pavlik was lukewarm but since they were stuck on a train falling into the Florida Everglades I'll give them the benefit of the doubt. The train engineer was my least favorite character (although not by much as there was a long list of contenders.) Every time he spoke I just wanted to smack him.
I liked Maggiy Thorsen but thought the other characters were weak. The chemistry between Maggy and Pavlik was lukewarm but since they were stuck on a train falling into the Florida Everglades I'll give them the benefit of the doubt. The train engineer was my least favorite character (although not by much as there was a long list of contenders.) Every time he spoke I just wanted to smack him.
March 9, 2025
I think I actually started the book on March 3rd or 4th? I’ve gotten a bit sloppy with Goodreads again, after keeping such painstaking records last year. BUT! I did finish it on the 5th.
The story progressively becomes more intriguing. That’s probably inevitable with a murder mystery. It’s not truly underway until somebody dies. All the clues and misdirection, and the Agatha Christie references, were fun.
However, I have beef with the narrator.
There’s a woman Maggie immediately villainizes. Yes, she eventually was openly flirting with Maggie’s steady boyfriend. But it felt like the hatred started with a catty distaste for a busty woman wearing revealing clothing, even before the flirtations began.
Then, Maggie seems to at first try to make her boyfriend jealous to teach him a lesson, all the while lying to him and saying she doesn’t get jealous.
I don’t have a great deal of patience for head games of that sort, or for women who cut down other women, on the page or in real life, especially in the context of competing for male attention.
Those overtones faded as the mystery came to the forefront, but they left me with a STRONG dislike for Maggie. I guess this really isn’t a series for me.
The story progressively becomes more intriguing. That’s probably inevitable with a murder mystery. It’s not truly underway until somebody dies. All the clues and misdirection, and the Agatha Christie references, were fun.
However, I have beef with the narrator.
There’s a woman Maggie immediately villainizes. Yes, she eventually was openly flirting with Maggie’s steady boyfriend. But it felt like the hatred started with a catty distaste for a busty woman wearing revealing clothing, even before the flirtations began.
Then, Maggie seems to at first try to make her boyfriend jealous to teach him a lesson, all the while lying to him and saying she doesn’t get jealous.
I don’t have a great deal of patience for head games of that sort, or for women who cut down other women, on the page or in real life, especially in the context of competing for male attention.
Those overtones faded as the mystery came to the forefront, but they left me with a STRONG dislike for Maggie. I guess this really isn’t a series for me.
May 30, 2018
Talkie with, at times, ridiculously unrealistic dialogue. What is meant to be witty banter comes off as merely cute or inappropriate. To use the author's own words, "I found it hard to believe that the imaginations of even a bunch of mystery writers could measure up to the reality of what we'd just witnessed."
Based upon reviews, however, most people seem to have enjoyed this book. If you're looking for something to kill time on a plane (or a train crossing the Everglades) this may suit your bill. Not my personal cup of tea but don't let me discourage you if you're a fan of light mysteries.
Based upon reviews, however, most people seem to have enjoyed this book. If you're looking for something to kill time on a plane (or a train crossing the Everglades) this may suit your bill. Not my personal cup of tea but don't let me discourage you if you're a fan of light mysteries.
May 22, 2023
Other than the catchy title (which got my attention), this book is a rather dull read. The characters are one-dimensional and not likeable, the plot unrealistic (how many pythons can you run into?), and in general there is just not enough suspense and interesting developing that make you want to keep turning the page. I did suffer until the end just to make sure I am not being unfair but boy did I regret it. This is the first Maggy Thorsen mystery I read and I sincerely hope that the other books are more engaging.
March 12, 2017
Murder On The Orient Espresso: Maggy Thorsen 8
Reading in chronological order is recommended but not necessary.
In A Nutshell: A cosy read with a practical heroine neatly delivered with light touches of humour.
The Protagonist: I like Maggie Thorsen. She deduces more than she investigates which is the best form of detection. Maggy is a business woman, a thinking woman and an amusing lady. Nonetheless, her insecurities make you want to shake her. Sometimes.
The Plot: Maggy accompany's her beau, Sheriff Jake Pavlik, to speak at a writer's conference. Part of the experience is to re-enact Agatha Christie's Murder On The Orient Express. Except for Murder On The Orient Espresso yields a real murder after the half-eaten body of a literary critic is retrieved from a most unusual place.
The book has an unusual beginning but stick with it. Some characters will exasperate the reader as much as they do the protagonist. A sure sign of a well-written book. There are some smooth lines, some amusing lines and yet they are tied up in a tragedy which is no less sad for the light touches. To have explored the murder's sad character would have prevented it from being a cosy mystery.
So, go read book eight if you haven't or start at number one. It's an interesting well-written ride. Recommended.
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Book Rating
Sexual Content: U
Language: U
Violent: U
Would I read the next oneor reread ?: Yes
My rating system (* = star)
0* Could not finish this book (waste of time)
1* Finished the book but didn't like it.
2* Finished the book it was okay.
3* A good read worth your time.
4* An excellent read often with a novel concept or unusual plot.
5* A magnificent read. A prominent example of the genre.
Reading in chronological order is recommended but not necessary.
In A Nutshell: A cosy read with a practical heroine neatly delivered with light touches of humour.
The Protagonist: I like Maggie Thorsen. She deduces more than she investigates which is the best form of detection. Maggy is a business woman, a thinking woman and an amusing lady. Nonetheless, her insecurities make you want to shake her. Sometimes.
The Plot: Maggy accompany's her beau, Sheriff Jake Pavlik, to speak at a writer's conference. Part of the experience is to re-enact Agatha Christie's Murder On The Orient Express. Except for Murder On The Orient Espresso yields a real murder after the half-eaten body of a literary critic is retrieved from a most unusual place.
The book has an unusual beginning but stick with it. Some characters will exasperate the reader as much as they do the protagonist. A sure sign of a well-written book. There are some smooth lines, some amusing lines and yet they are tied up in a tragedy which is no less sad for the light touches. To have explored the murder's sad character would have prevented it from being a cosy mystery.
So, go read book eight if you haven't or start at number one. It's an interesting well-written ride. Recommended.
Connect with me on Twitter
Follow my blog on Bloglovin’
Book Rating
Sexual Content: U
Language: U
Violent: U
Would I read the next one
My rating system (* = star)
0* Could not finish this book (waste of time)
1* Finished the book but didn't like it.
2* Finished the book it was okay.
3* A good read worth your time.
4* An excellent read often with a novel concept or unusual plot.
5* A magnificent read. A prominent example of the genre.
October 17, 2018
I'm guessing Balzo was on a deadline and had a bit of writer's block. Simplistic plot about a murder mystery train event doing the Christie mystery and a real death occurs. Simplistic idea of the Everglades. If you haven't figured it out, I think the book is rather simplistic.
She still has her smooth writing style, but this book in the series is a non-entity. Neither good nor bad, just forgettable.
She still has her smooth writing style, but this book in the series is a non-entity. Neither good nor bad, just forgettable.
January 27, 2020
This is the first novel I was able to call the killer before the reveal. I don't think that completely explains it, but I did find the ending pretty unsatisfying. Things wrap up kind of quickly and tidily, and I felt like a great number of characters were introduced but nothing interesting developed around them. It's a great title and a cute idea, but this one was just a little over the top for my taste.
June 22, 2017
Marvelous Homage to Christie
Balzo knows how to tell a story! In this, she uses the framework of Dame Agatha's Murder on the Orient Express and puts it in the Florida Everglades. Exciting and chilling!
Balzo knows how to tell a story! In this, she uses the framework of Dame Agatha's Murder on the Orient Express and puts it in the Florida Everglades. Exciting and chilling!
January 4, 2018
3.5 stars
March 16, 2018
Good writing, as with all the books in this series, but includes some ridiculously absurd "information" about snakes. Plays into common misconceptions.
May 18, 2018
Another one where I went by the title. (play on words). Maggy and Jake have a great working and romantic relationship. A fun read. I would pick up more in this series.
October 16, 2018
Just could not get into this book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews