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A Ground Rules Mystery #4
Death Unfiltered
As the owner of Portland, Oregon’s popular Ground Rules coffee cart, hard-working young master barista Sage Caplin is excited to expand her business with a brick-and mortar store. But not everyone gives her a warm welcome . . .
Ground Rules isn’t the only newcomer set to open in Portland’s grand new Button Building. Fortunately, most of the fellow micro-restaurant owners and patrons are great—with two exceptions. There’s Rose, a true-crime podcaster and active TikToker who’s pestering Sage for an interview about her estranged con-artist mother; and Bianca, the familiar and perpetually unpleasant owner of Breakfast Bandits. Bianca is abrasive to everyone, so Sage doesn’t feel singled out. . . . Until Bianca falls dead at the building’s grand opening—a to-go cup of Ground Rules coffee in her hand. Laced with Ketamine, also known as Special K.
It doesn’t help that just before she collapsed, Bianca was publicly rude to Sage. Or that Bianca’s boyfriend points the police toward Sage. Or that Rose, still hung up on investigating Sage’s mom, has declared she’ll solve the murder. Now it will be up to Sage to sift through a complex blend of motives, blackmail, and old and new rivalries to get to the truth of a very bitter brew . . .
Ground Rules isn’t the only newcomer set to open in Portland’s grand new Button Building. Fortunately, most of the fellow micro-restaurant owners and patrons are great—with two exceptions. There’s Rose, a true-crime podcaster and active TikToker who’s pestering Sage for an interview about her estranged con-artist mother; and Bianca, the familiar and perpetually unpleasant owner of Breakfast Bandits. Bianca is abrasive to everyone, so Sage doesn’t feel singled out. . . . Until Bianca falls dead at the building’s grand opening—a to-go cup of Ground Rules coffee in her hand. Laced with Ketamine, also known as Special K.
It doesn’t help that just before she collapsed, Bianca was publicly rude to Sage. Or that Bianca’s boyfriend points the police toward Sage. Or that Rose, still hung up on investigating Sage’s mom, has declared she’ll solve the murder. Now it will be up to Sage to sift through a complex blend of motives, blackmail, and old and new rivalries to get to the truth of a very bitter brew . . .
256 pages, Paperback
First published March 26, 2024
7 people are currently reading
492 people want to read
About the author
Emmeline Duncan
12 books343 followersEmmeline Duncan is a mystery writer based out of Portland, Oregon. Her novels include the Ground Rules series, including Fresh Brewed Murder, Double Shot Death, Flat White Fatality, and Death Unfiltered, which comes out in the spring of 2024. She's also the author of Chaos at the Lazy Bones Bookshop, a Halloween-themed mystery that will come out in August 2024.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews
June 1, 2024
Dollycas's Thoughts
Grounds Rules and several micro-restaurants are counting the days to their grand openings at the fantastic new Button Building. With its unique octagon footprint, each business has an opening to the street and a door to a communal covered courtyard. Sage is excited to have a brick-and-mortar shop in addition to their food carts and roastery. Her mood is brought down though by true-crime podcaster and TikToker, Rose. Her latest podcast series focuses on Sage's con-artist mother and she wants Sage to sit for an interviewer. Also, Bianca who owns Breakfast Bandits seems to have a bug up her butt about something. She is picking fights with everyone including Sage.
Two weeks later the Button Building's grand opening is a go until Bianca collapses and dies in the common area with a Ground Rules coffee cup in her hand. They soon learn her coffee was spiked with Special K (Ketamine). Sadly, that puts Sage and her new employees in the hot seat. Who tampered with Bianca's coffee? Sage knows there are plenty of suspects other than her. She gets help with her investigation from a surprising individual, Rose, the podcaster. Can they sort through the clues to find the killer who brewed up this murder? Or has Sage poured her last cappuccino?
_____
I am so happy that Sage's dream of having a brick-and-mortar shop has come true. Her boyfriend Bax has a big event of his own. The new video game that Sage played a huge role in is almost ready to be released. I love that they found time to be together no matter how busy their schedules were. We meet two new baristas and catch up with those we have met previously. Harley spends most of her time at the roastery with Sage's dad or making deliveries. The new store is Sage's baby. Podcaster Rose digging into Sage's mother's past was difficult for her but it brought to light things she had forgotten or didn't know. This thread has been a subplot in every book in this series but in Death Unfiltered it gets intense when part of that past finds its way to Ground Rules and knocks Sage for a loop. The core cast of characters continues to develop nicely. The new characters were interesting and had a purpose in the story.
The Button Building is a cool place and Ms. Duncan's description of it made it and every place we traveled with Sage so easy to visualize. She really drops her readers into each scene making her stories so much fun to read.
The author twisted the murder mystery together with Sage's daily happenings and her mother's past with an expert hand. The story was very well-plotted and written. I was especially drawn to Sage's history with her mother and learning about her victims. I am intrigued to see that storyline continue. The mystery was complicated and I think I fell for a red herring because I had brewed on the whodunit and picked a person only when all was revealed I was wrong. I love when that happens! That was not the only surprise, the ending included a shocker.
Death Unfiltered kept me on my toes with a complicated mystery, fun and intriguing subplots, and genuine characters. I can't wait to see what the author has in store for her characters next. Each book builds from the last so I recommend you read the series from the start in order.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you to the author, Kensington Cozies, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.
Grounds Rules and several micro-restaurants are counting the days to their grand openings at the fantastic new Button Building. With its unique octagon footprint, each business has an opening to the street and a door to a communal covered courtyard. Sage is excited to have a brick-and-mortar shop in addition to their food carts and roastery. Her mood is brought down though by true-crime podcaster and TikToker, Rose. Her latest podcast series focuses on Sage's con-artist mother and she wants Sage to sit for an interviewer. Also, Bianca who owns Breakfast Bandits seems to have a bug up her butt about something. She is picking fights with everyone including Sage.
Two weeks later the Button Building's grand opening is a go until Bianca collapses and dies in the common area with a Ground Rules coffee cup in her hand. They soon learn her coffee was spiked with Special K (Ketamine). Sadly, that puts Sage and her new employees in the hot seat. Who tampered with Bianca's coffee? Sage knows there are plenty of suspects other than her. She gets help with her investigation from a surprising individual, Rose, the podcaster. Can they sort through the clues to find the killer who brewed up this murder? Or has Sage poured her last cappuccino?
_____
I am so happy that Sage's dream of having a brick-and-mortar shop has come true. Her boyfriend Bax has a big event of his own. The new video game that Sage played a huge role in is almost ready to be released. I love that they found time to be together no matter how busy their schedules were. We meet two new baristas and catch up with those we have met previously. Harley spends most of her time at the roastery with Sage's dad or making deliveries. The new store is Sage's baby. Podcaster Rose digging into Sage's mother's past was difficult for her but it brought to light things she had forgotten or didn't know. This thread has been a subplot in every book in this series but in Death Unfiltered it gets intense when part of that past finds its way to Ground Rules and knocks Sage for a loop. The core cast of characters continues to develop nicely. The new characters were interesting and had a purpose in the story.
The Button Building is a cool place and Ms. Duncan's description of it made it and every place we traveled with Sage so easy to visualize. She really drops her readers into each scene making her stories so much fun to read.
The author twisted the murder mystery together with Sage's daily happenings and her mother's past with an expert hand. The story was very well-plotted and written. I was especially drawn to Sage's history with her mother and learning about her victims. I am intrigued to see that storyline continue. The mystery was complicated and I think I fell for a red herring because I had brewed on the whodunit and picked a person only when all was revealed I was wrong. I love when that happens! That was not the only surprise, the ending included a shocker.
Death Unfiltered kept me on my toes with a complicated mystery, fun and intriguing subplots, and genuine characters. I can't wait to see what the author has in store for her characters next. Each book builds from the last so I recommend you read the series from the start in order.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you to the author, Kensington Cozies, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.
March 8, 2024
This was a new author and series for me. Didn't realize it was book four in the series, but that's alright. The author did a good job letting you know what was going on and the relationship between the characters. The fact that the main character's backstory is very much tied up in the mystery only helps you to keep up with no issues. Sage and her partner finally add a brick and mortar location to their business besides the coffee truck and beans distribution center. This is a center where mutiple food businesses like the Ground Rules can finally have a set location and support one another. Unfortunately some of these businesses have had a run in with Sage at other locations where they have been located, and to add to the drama a young podcaster is trying to dig into Sage's mother's past, and it's not a pretty one. When a cup of coffee from Ground Rules leads to the death of a neighbor, what will that mean for Sage and company? I thought this was a well written and compelling mystery with lots of good suspects and a lot of interesting characters that I was immediately drawn to. Will definitely read more in this series. Thanks to #NetGalley and #Kensingtonbooks for the opportunity to read!
April 1, 2024
This is my favorite in the series so far! I loved anything that has to do with using a podcast to investigate. Add in the glimpses into Sage’s past and the information about her mother and I was hooked! The mystery was well-paced and kept me guessing until the very end. Can’t wait to see where the surprise reveal at the end leads.
I received a copy from #NetGalley for an honest review.
I received a copy from #NetGalley for an honest review.
March 25, 2024
I continue to love this series! Sage is not the overly bubbly young shop owner and sleuth. She is passionate and knowledgeable, but she has had an childhood that was tumultuous with many obstacles to overcome. And I love how she is so personable without being over the top bubbly. I was fascinating by learning so much about her mother and her past and all the links of her past and her present. I also was craving caffeine like crazy the entire time and had to have a warm beverage at all times. I could picture the wonderful Button Building and could almost smell all of the culinary delights from the shop owners. I love all the conversations about how to help the unhoused and how dedicated Sage and her friends are to helping however they can. Bax and Sage continue to be adorable, though with his big launch I was missing him at bit! I was completely shocked by so many parts of the ending!! And that cliffhanger.... I need more!
September 15, 2024
This series is such fun, poor Sage cannot catch a break from the dead bodies. Please no more bodies in her shop 😬😬
October 29, 2023
#DeathUnfiltered #NetGalley is a fantastic addition to this series by Emmeline Duncan.
Sage Caplin is ready for the grand opening of the Ground Rules newest addition, an actual coffee shop in the Button Building located in Portland, Oregon.
Sage has had success with her coffee truck, and the opportunity to open a coffee shop is a dream come true.
Excitement grows and Sage is ready for the big day, until a competitor drops dead at the opening, and naturally Sage is a suspect.
Trying to prove her innocence isn't difficult, but the death a lot of secrets, including one the nosy podcast creator Rose, may not want to reveal.
This is a great series and I'm always excited to read a new book by this talented author.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of the book.
Sage Caplin is ready for the grand opening of the Ground Rules newest addition, an actual coffee shop in the Button Building located in Portland, Oregon.
Sage has had success with her coffee truck, and the opportunity to open a coffee shop is a dream come true.
Excitement grows and Sage is ready for the big day, until a competitor drops dead at the opening, and naturally Sage is a suspect.
Trying to prove her innocence isn't difficult, but the death a lot of secrets, including one the nosy podcast creator Rose, may not want to reveal.
This is a great series and I'm always excited to read a new book by this talented author.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of the book.
March 26, 2024
The Ground Rules baristas are back in the fourth installment of Emmeline Duncan’s Ground Rules Mystery series with Death Unfiltered! While Sage and the crew would rather focus on coming up with new signature blends and brewing up delicious beverages - they are caught in yet another scandal! With a mysterious death, a nosey true crime podcaster and some suspicious new faces in town, it’s up to Sage to sift through the clues and solve the mystery before it’s too late!
📚 4th in the Series
🔍 Cozy Mystery
☕️ Coffee, Coffee & More Coffee
🐾 Adorable Animals
🫶 Friendship
🎙️ True Crime Podcast
🎮 Video Game Development
❤️🩹 Complicated Family Relationships
✉️ Blackmail
I absolutely loved being back in this cozy & caffeinated series and cannot wait to see what Emmeline Duncan brews up for us next!!
Method Read: 📖
Thank you Kensington Books for the gifted copy!
April 3, 2024
Sage Caplin is about to open her brick & mortar store in the Button Building in Portland, Oregon. It's the grand opening party, Rose the annoying podcaster is there doing an interview with Bianca. Bianca hates Sage. The series she is working on is about Sage's grifter mom Saffron Jones and the ripples her scams have caused. When Bianca collapses and dies. Rose and Sage are the prime suspects. They work together to find the killer.
I really love this series and the author. The writing and story catch me every time. I always have a hard time putting the book down. I'm excited to see what happens in the series next.
I really love this series and the author. The writing and story catch me every time. I always have a hard time putting the book down. I'm excited to see what happens in the series next.
November 22, 2023
I really enjoyed this cozy novel set in Portland, Oregon. Sage owns Ground Rules coffee cart in downtown Portland and the story starts as she is expanding into a store front. Owning a food cart in Portland can be very competitive and as her new store opens, someone in her store dies. This leaves Sage with so many questions and fears over the start of her new shop. I really enjoyed all the details about the Portland area and the writing was light and enjoyable as well!
Thank you Kensington Books and NetGalley for this advanced reader copy. My opinions are my own.
Thank you Kensington Books and NetGalley for this advanced reader copy. My opinions are my own.
August 3, 2024
I love this series. I can almost smell the scent of coffee coming through the pages. Sage is just opening her coffee shop after running a successful coffee cart for a while. While tryin to navigate opening a new shop, she is trying to deal with a podcaster who is detailing her mom's shady past.
To add to Sage's stress, one of the owners of another food cart ends up dead in her shop, bringing her opening to a screeching halt. Sage relies on the support of her staff, friends and family.
I am always drawn in to these stories and seeing how Sage navigates each situation.
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this book.
To add to Sage's stress, one of the owners of another food cart ends up dead in her shop, bringing her opening to a screeching halt. Sage relies on the support of her staff, friends and family.
I am always drawn in to these stories and seeing how Sage navigates each situation.
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this book.
March 8, 2025
I jumped to 4 after finishing one. This is a comfort read; I know it will wrap up tidily, I know angst levels will remain slow, I know there will be good food. And yep. They open a new store, everyone is nice, there are cute dogs, someone gets murdered, we figure out why, it doesn’t make much sense.
Very relaxing.
Very relaxing.
Read
May 14, 2024Thank you netgalley and Kensington for the kindle version of Death Unfiltered. Another great installment from Emmeline Duncan.
Coffee, Portland, Murder. Perfect mystery that dives into all the different styles of coffee, gives a serious look at the weather in Oregon, the joys and perks of owning and running a coffee business, the customers who frequent the restaurants, and who killed the competition.
Let's start with if this can be read as a stand alone. Yes. But I do think a reader would enjoy and follow the story better if they had read at least one of the earlier books. And I do encourage you to read the whole series.
As someone who has read the whole series, I'm still loving it! And hoping it continues. There is a jump in time; I believe a year has passed on the timeline. (Perhaps a bit less) Sage and Harley are finally opening up Ground Rules coffee house in the button building, a place highlighting several business who began in the food truck pods. Many are happy to be there working together, but - Bianca and breakfast bandits are back from book 2. And Sage finds out Bianca doesn't just hate her, but pretty much everyone in the business. Things are heated between Bianca and pretty much everyone else.
I love the deep dive this book goes into with Sage's past and her relationship with her mother. And the relationships with her mother's victims. Her mother's misdeeds have always been spoken about. The extent of her deceptions around the world really come to light. Of course there's a murder - and it involves an innocent victims of her mom's con-artist ways. A ripple that goes beyond that of the crime and has a lasting affect.
I'm rambling. So let me sum it up.
This book dives further into Sage's history and her own thoughts on her con artist mother and the affect her mom had on other's AND their thought's on her. The murder may or may not have something to do with her mother. That will be determined at the end. But Sage does find some closure and is looking forward in life. I really enjoyed the new character's introduced and the return of some of the characters from book 2. (I love the coffee customer (nurse) that visited the cart in book 2 and took advantage of the full meal/drink plan at the festival. This woman is my spirit animal. And I've seriously thought of her since that book.) A who done it that even though I figured out the murderer quite early - the why will leave you speechless. 2 thumbs up and 4 stars.
Coffee, Portland, Murder. Perfect mystery that dives into all the different styles of coffee, gives a serious look at the weather in Oregon, the joys and perks of owning and running a coffee business, the customers who frequent the restaurants, and who killed the competition.
Let's start with if this can be read as a stand alone. Yes. But I do think a reader would enjoy and follow the story better if they had read at least one of the earlier books. And I do encourage you to read the whole series.
As someone who has read the whole series, I'm still loving it! And hoping it continues. There is a jump in time; I believe a year has passed on the timeline. (Perhaps a bit less) Sage and Harley are finally opening up Ground Rules coffee house in the button building, a place highlighting several business who began in the food truck pods. Many are happy to be there working together, but - Bianca and breakfast bandits are back from book 2. And Sage finds out Bianca doesn't just hate her, but pretty much everyone in the business. Things are heated between Bianca and pretty much everyone else.
I love the deep dive this book goes into with Sage's past and her relationship with her mother. And the relationships with her mother's victims. Her mother's misdeeds have always been spoken about. The extent of her deceptions around the world really come to light. Of course there's a murder - and it involves an innocent victims of her mom's con-artist ways. A ripple that goes beyond that of the crime and has a lasting affect.
I'm rambling. So let me sum it up.
This book dives further into Sage's history and her own thoughts on her con artist mother and the affect her mom had on other's AND their thought's on her. The murder may or may not have something to do with her mother. That will be determined at the end. But Sage does find some closure and is looking forward in life. I really enjoyed the new character's introduced and the return of some of the characters from book 2. (I love the coffee customer (nurse) that visited the cart in book 2 and took advantage of the full meal/drink plan at the festival. This woman is my spirit animal. And I've seriously thought of her since that book.) A who done it that even though I figured out the murderer quite early - the why will leave you speechless. 2 thumbs up and 4 stars.
August 27, 2024
Another great addition to the ground rules series. This was my favorite so far, it was written the best, I wasn't confused by all the characters involved this time around. I hope to have more books added to this series.
February 13, 2024
A perfectly weaved cozy mystery with interesting characters.
I couldn't put the book down, loved it.
A must read.
I couldn't put the book down, loved it.
A must read.
September 13, 2024
this whole series is a bunch of cozy mysteries that i love listening to. none of them stick out to me individually, but i think about the series as whole pretty often!
October 9, 2024
Interesting but not revolutionary, this entire series is just what I needed at the moment. I’m sad I’ve finished the last book of the series.
November 3, 2024
I can't wait to read the next book! I had a few hunches of some things in the story, but there were also surprises I didn't catch! Another great book in this series :)
July 8, 2024
(3.5) “mermaid brand” say starbucks
November 21, 2023
The time has finally come for Ground Rules to open their first brick and mortar coffee shop in the brand new Button Building. With several other food, truck and cart vendors, also opening brick and mortars, it’s an exciting time. Until one of the other vendors collapses from being poisoned after drinking a cup of coffee from Ground Rules.
With her business and reputation at stake, Sage finds herself, trying to figure out who killed Bianca. The woman wasn’t a favorite of anybody’s, and was extremely rude to Sage, which makes her an idea suspect. Can Sage figure it out before Ground Rules crashes and burns?
I’ve read this series from the very first entry and have enjoyed it thoroughly. I love when a series progresses, and includes the lives of the main characters. It was great to see the first brick and mortar for ground rules to open and as well as seeing life moving forward for both Sage and her family. Whether you like coffee or not, this is a great series for any Cozy lover.
With her business and reputation at stake, Sage finds herself, trying to figure out who killed Bianca. The woman wasn’t a favorite of anybody’s, and was extremely rude to Sage, which makes her an idea suspect. Can Sage figure it out before Ground Rules crashes and burns?
I’ve read this series from the very first entry and have enjoyed it thoroughly. I love when a series progresses, and includes the lives of the main characters. It was great to see the first brick and mortar for ground rules to open and as well as seeing life moving forward for both Sage and her family. Whether you like coffee or not, this is a great series for any Cozy lover.
March 10, 2024
Overall, this was an enjoyable cozy mystery. I did feel the pacing was way too slow and there was a lot of dialogue and not enough character or relationship building that I prefer in cozy mysteries. The red herrings were done well and kept me changing my thoughts on who the murderer was, and I did like that there is an underlining additional story involving Sage’s background that poses to be interesting to learn more. Also, the book ended on a cliffhanger, which was a nice twist. With that being said, I wasn’t hugely invested in the story and the same thing went for the previous novel in the series so I’m on the fence if I’ll be giving this series another shot.
Thank you Kensington Books for the arc. Thoughts expressed in this review are my own.
Thank you Kensington Books for the arc. Thoughts expressed in this review are my own.
November 27, 2023
This is an interesting series to me as it takes place in Portland. It gives an insight to the "Keep Portland Weird". Sage has finally moved beyond the food cart concept and has a brick and mortar shop. At the opening though someone dies. Sage teams up with a podcaster to find out who dunnit. It nice to see a development from the previous books. There is a storyline throughout about Sage's mother and her past that adds to the angst. Overall it is a tight book.
February 24, 2024
DEATH UNFILTERD is the fourth book in the Ground Rules Mysteries by Emmeline Duncan. I think each book gets better and better, as it builds on the preceding storyline so that the reader gets a deeper insight into protagonist Sage Caplin, her family, and her crew of baristas. There’s also the thread of Sage’s con-artist mom running through each story. It adds a depth of emotion as Sage struggles to overcome her guilt at how she was a part of her mom’s schemes as a young child, then abandoned when she’d outgrown her usefulness. In Death Unfiltered, old wounds are opened, and she comes face-to-face with one of her mother’s victims. Because of this, it’s probably best to start at the beginning of the series, even though this could be read as a standalone based on the murder mystery itself.
Ms. Duncan has created a colorful cast of characters in a very colorful city: Portland, Oregon. With edgy vibes and a definite love of coffee, Sage and her company, Ground Rules, certainly fits in. There are vivid descriptions to bring the locale to life and it’s hard to not want to book a flight right away to visit. Sage and her business partner, Harley, are opening a brick-and-mortar store. Everyone is excited about the new venture except the neighboring Breakfast Bandits shop owner, Bianca. When Bianca drops dead after sipping on Ground Rules coffee on the morning of their grand opening, it looks like their fledgling business might not survive. With Sage in the crosshairs of law enforcement and a true-crime podcaster dogging and recording her every step, Sage must find the actual killer. This well-plotted mystery has a good pace. Ms. Duncan weaves coffee details, the subplot of Sage’s mom, and the murder together into a cohesive story that never lags. I was truly surprised at the reveal… I never suspected the culprit. And with a zinger of an ending, it will take all my patience to wait until I can have the next book in hand to find out what happens next!
There are several recipes included at the back of the book, including drinks, plus savory and sweet dishes.
I was provided with an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Ms. Duncan has created a colorful cast of characters in a very colorful city: Portland, Oregon. With edgy vibes and a definite love of coffee, Sage and her company, Ground Rules, certainly fits in. There are vivid descriptions to bring the locale to life and it’s hard to not want to book a flight right away to visit. Sage and her business partner, Harley, are opening a brick-and-mortar store. Everyone is excited about the new venture except the neighboring Breakfast Bandits shop owner, Bianca. When Bianca drops dead after sipping on Ground Rules coffee on the morning of their grand opening, it looks like their fledgling business might not survive. With Sage in the crosshairs of law enforcement and a true-crime podcaster dogging and recording her every step, Sage must find the actual killer. This well-plotted mystery has a good pace. Ms. Duncan weaves coffee details, the subplot of Sage’s mom, and the murder together into a cohesive story that never lags. I was truly surprised at the reveal… I never suspected the culprit. And with a zinger of an ending, it will take all my patience to wait until I can have the next book in hand to find out what happens next!
There are several recipes included at the back of the book, including drinks, plus savory and sweet dishes.
I was provided with an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
March 18, 2024
I wasn’t expecting that twist! Death Unfiltered is the fourth book in the Ground Rules Mystery series by Emmeline Duncan. After years of dreaming about a brick and mortar coffee shop, the dream is coming true for Sage Caplin, and her business partner Harley. After years of running their coffee cart, Ground Rules will be among micro restaurants moving into the new Button Building in Portland, Oregon. When one of the restaurant owners collapses and dies at the grand opening, Sage’s dream becomes more of a nightmare.
I have read the other books in the series and feel like the author really nailed it with this one!
We get to see more of Sage’s interactions with her family, and new employees. Sage is such a likable character. She is grounded in her ideas and beliefs of helping where she can. The author paints the perfect picture of life in the Pacific Northwest.
The mystery had lots of elements to it, interesting characters, and lots of coffee and food talk. It kept me hooked till the end. Looking forward to what is next in this series!
Thank you Kensington for the ARC, and for letting me share my early thoughts on Death Unfiltered!
I have read the other books in the series and feel like the author really nailed it with this one!
We get to see more of Sage’s interactions with her family, and new employees. Sage is such a likable character. She is grounded in her ideas and beliefs of helping where she can. The author paints the perfect picture of life in the Pacific Northwest.
The mystery had lots of elements to it, interesting characters, and lots of coffee and food talk. It kept me hooked till the end. Looking forward to what is next in this series!
Thank you Kensington for the ARC, and for letting me share my early thoughts on Death Unfiltered!
May 8, 2024
Death Unfiltered is the4th book in the Ground Rules Mysteries by Emmeline Duncan. Once again we head to Portland Oregon to follow Sage Caplin and her Ground Rules Coffee team as they get ready to open their very first brick and mortar shop. The Button Building is ready to go and many former food carts are launching new ventures. Sage is also dealing with her past, as her mother's grifting ways have become the topic of a new podcast. This brings out past victims and sends Sage into a panic worrying her past may affect her business now.
There is also bad blood between Sage and her former boss who is working with another business in the building, Breakfast Bandits.
Breakfast Bandits owner Biana has taken a disliking to Sage and Ground Rules and is out to bad mouth them any chance she gets.
Things get even worse when Bianca drops dead after drinking a Ground Rules coffee during their grand opening.
How did she get drugged? Was it one of her new staff, a customer, the nosy podcaster or even one of her mother's old victims? Sage must find the killer, all while under suspicion herself. Well plotted, with lots of twists and red herrings. It will leave you dying to read the next book!
There is also bad blood between Sage and her former boss who is working with another business in the building, Breakfast Bandits.
Breakfast Bandits owner Biana has taken a disliking to Sage and Ground Rules and is out to bad mouth them any chance she gets.
Things get even worse when Bianca drops dead after drinking a Ground Rules coffee during their grand opening.
How did she get drugged? Was it one of her new staff, a customer, the nosy podcaster or even one of her mother's old victims? Sage must find the killer, all while under suspicion herself. Well plotted, with lots of twists and red herrings. It will leave you dying to read the next book!
February 6, 2025
Who knew coffee could kill?
Felt a little like the kitchen sink was thrown at the story but the themes were woven in well. Not a lot of police interaction compared to other cozy mysteries. But also not a lot of the amateur running off to sleuth and finding themselves in a sticky situation, a good thing I suppose.
I admit to having an inkling of how things were going to turn out but not sure why.
The series is different in how it structures families and impact of one��s younger years on their adult life, all while give a great education on coffee and the Portland food scene. I think the characters are relatable. I do wish dad and Harley were around a bit more in this one. I feel like Sage’s uncle could give some great business and how to be a mentor lessons despite the hit of not always being on the right side of the law. Some of that may be rubbing off on Sage.
Looking forward to the next book, I bet it has a lot going on with game launch and wedding. That’s my wish at least.
Happy Reading!
Felt a little like the kitchen sink was thrown at the story but the themes were woven in well. Not a lot of police interaction compared to other cozy mysteries. But also not a lot of the amateur running off to sleuth and finding themselves in a sticky situation, a good thing I suppose.
I admit to having an inkling of how things were going to turn out but not sure why.
The series is different in how it structures families and impact of one��s younger years on their adult life, all while give a great education on coffee and the Portland food scene. I think the characters are relatable. I do wish dad and Harley were around a bit more in this one. I feel like Sage’s uncle could give some great business and how to be a mentor lessons despite the hit of not always being on the right side of the law. Some of that may be rubbing off on Sage.
Looking forward to the next book, I bet it has a lot going on with game launch and wedding. That’s my wish at least.
Happy Reading!
March 25, 2024
It was great catching up with Sage, her family and friends in this new installment. She finally had the actual shop she’d always wanted but one of the shop neighbors was a royal pain. I remembered her all too well from when Sage was set up at the music festival and couldn’t help being glad about what happened with her.
Sage’s had surprises along the line but nothing like the one that came at the showdown. I kinda hope things work out in that regard, then the very ending led to what I hope is gonna be the next book’s partial theme at least. I’m always eager to read the next in this series.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by Kensington Cozies via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.
Sage’s had surprises along the line but nothing like the one that came at the showdown. I kinda hope things work out in that regard, then the very ending led to what I hope is gonna be the next book’s partial theme at least. I’m always eager to read the next in this series.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by Kensington Cozies via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.
February 16, 2024
Sage’s backstory gets additional shading in this installment of the series. A young podcaster is very interested in Sage’s mother’s trail of scammy destruction, and wants Sage’s help to tell the story. Sage doesn’t really have time to deal with that because she is opening her first brick-and-mortar store, only for a neighboring vendor to drop over dead on the first day. Sage must leverage her family and community to come up with the killer. The Portland of this series is such a bright, vibrant community filled with cool people. It’s lots of fun spending time with Sage in her city.
NetGalley provided me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
NetGalley provided me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
February 23, 2024
The premise for the coffee shop paired with other short order specialty shops ringing a courtyard with multiple employees bring orders to customers and then bussing the mess sounds heavenly! On opening day of the Ground Rules coffee shop a dodgy podcaster is sharing coffees with a contentious shop owner when the shop owner suddenly dies. Poison. But it was coffee from our MC's shop so she is a major suspect. Lots of other stuff going on while the murder is being investigated. Good read!
I requested and received a temporary EARC from Kensington Books/Kensington Cozies via NetGalley.
Pub Date 26 Mar 2024 #GroundRulesMysteriesBk4
I requested and received a temporary EARC from Kensington Books/Kensington Cozies via NetGalley.
Pub Date 26 Mar 2024 #GroundRulesMysteriesBk4
March 9, 2024
This has become one of my favorite cozy series with a strong millennial voice! We pick up in this story with Sage opening her brick and mortar store in the Button Building for her coffee business! On the first day of business, murder happens and Sage is the prime suspect. We get a bunch of new characters in this one, expanding the universe for this series, but I still enjoyed having the Sasquatches in it too! It also has a locked room mystery vibe to it for those who love that (which is me)!! Lots of twists and turns in the mystery and I didn't have a strong suspect for the murder so was surprised! If you're looking for a great cozy set in Portland, this hits all the right vibes!
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